Who would have thought that wild man Jim Morrison of The Doors would have sound advice for drivers? But the hard-drinking, drug-using rock icon got it right in "Roadhouse Blues" when he sang, "Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel."

State Sen. Jim Ferlo, who had a bit of a reputation as a political wild man during his days on Pittsburgh City Council, has it right, too. He's proposing legislation that would prohibit text messaging and cell phone use while driving, with exceptions if the motorist uses a hands-free device.

His is not a new idea, but there is new evidence to support it all the time, particularly with the astronomical increase in text messaging, overwhelmingly by teens. A study sponsored by AAA and Seventeen Magazine surveyed more than 1,000 16- and 17-year-olds in April. Of the 61 percent who said they take risks while driving, 46 percent said they text message. Fifty-one percent admitted to talking on cell phones while driving.

On June 28, text messages were sent and received on a 17-year-old New York state driver's cell phone moments before her speeding sport utility vehicle slammed head-on into a truck, killing her and four other recent high school graduates. Clearly, a ban on cell phones won't be 100 percent effective; New York, like Washington state, already has a ban. But it's worth another try.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law Thursday that restricts adult drivers to hands-free phones, but bars teen drivers from using any cell phones and electronic devices, because of the popularity of text-messaging.

Sen. Ferlo's proposal makes exceptions for emergency situations, such as calls to the police, a hospital, doctor, ambulance or fire company. Likewise, emergency workers on duty would be exempt. Although his proposed legislation would not apply to hands-free devices, we favor outlawing those while a vehicle is in motion, too. Given the legislative failure of previous bills, though, Sen. Ferlo may be right to try for the hand-held ban first.

It's true the government can't and should not be expected to protect its citizens from themselves. But it can help protect us from each other, especially when we're pushing 3,000 pounds of metal muscle down the highway. That takes both hands.