Police speculation that text messaging may have led to the accident that killed a Eureka teenager last week is a chilling reminder of the dangers of distracted driving.

A text message was received on the teen's cell phone about the same time a 911 call was made to report the accident, according to police. The cell phone was found at the scene of the rollover accident in rural Woodford County.

Police say the driver swerved to avoid another vehicle after drifting into the wrong lane.

It was another example of how a moment's distraction can have dire, sometimes tragic, consequences. It should make all of us - of any age - think again about our actions behind the wheel and whether we give driving the full concentration it deserves.

Today's electronic devices are helpful tools when used properly. For example, a cell phone can quickly summon help in an emergency, such as a traffic accident.

But these devices also can lead to distractions and complacency when driving. Even Woodford County Coroner Tim Ruestman, while warning of the dangers of distracted driving, admitted that he has sometimes sent messages on his Blackberry while driving.

Ruestman's admission shows this is not just a problem of young drivers.

House Bill 71, awaiting Gov. Pat Quinn's signature, would prohibit drivers of any age from text messaging while driving.

Secretary of State Jesse White, in a letter earlier this year in support of HB71, said, "Quite simply, no driver has any business texting while they are driving. Not only are they jeopardizing their own safety, but the safety of others on the road as well."

This tragedy shows the need for laws against distracted driving - but it also shows their limitations.

Even though HB71 hasn't been signed, it is already against the law for anyone under 19 years old to use a cell phone while driving.

Our intent here is not to point an accusing finger at the driver or add to the pain that her family and friends are experiencing.

Our intent is to hammer home the need for all of us to wake up to the dangers of using cell phones at inappropriate times - and, we hope, prevent another family from going through this.

We need to learn from tragedies such as this, and we need to remember the reasons behind such laws.

As White said, "Although fear of a traffic ticket may not be enough in itself to convince everyone to avoid texting while driving, it is one more way to at least make a driver think twice before doing it."

Quinn should sign the bill.