How many times have you been driving or walking down the sidewalk when you get cut off by some goon using their cell phone and not paying attention to the one-ton vehicle they are supposed to be driving? Probably one time too many.

The Washington state legislature is considering a slate of bills related to banning cell phone use and text messaging while driving. While forcing drivers to use hands-free devices while chatting on the road is sensible, we can try to relate to fervent users who want the option to squeeze in time for family and friends while commuting. We do think, however, that we can all get behind banning text messaging while operating vehicles.

A 2006 study by the University of Utah stated that people driving while talking on a cell phone were as impaired as having a blood alcohol level equivalent of being legally drunk in Washington — 0.08 percent. Time and again, accidents involving people on the phone come up, and the unfortunate reaction has amounted to a number of failed pieces of legislation in the Washington State Congress. The data, both scientific and intuitive, calls for reform of the rules on the road.

That said, banning something as distracting as typing out notes on a device in your palm while rolling down the freeway should be a no-brainer. Talking to your buddies can be done while keeping your eyes, if not your full attention, on the road, but text-messaging simply cannot. Beyond the distraction of formulating thoughts and having a conversation, the physical operation of texting is dangerous while driving.

Legislation is in our state houses now that can curb these risks. Even if you feel safe doing these things — and remember, studies are rating it akin to driving drunk –— think of your friends and family who may end up on the bad end of an accident caused by a driver distracted by these operations. It's time at least to ban text messaging, but hopefully tighter restrictions on cell phone use will soon follow.