No, you can't legislate common sense. But sometimes a new law can force us to resurrect logical thought from the dusty corners where we've abandoned it in favor of convenience.

Such is the case with legislation being contemplated to penalize parents who leave their children unattended in vehicles — a practice reported at least four times in the past year here.

Why would parents knowingly leave a child alone in a car? Because it's easier than taking them along on a quick errand inside an office or store, especially if the choice lies between waking grumpy children or letting them sleep peacefully — for "just a moment."

But momentary negligence — and that's what it is — can endanger a child, as one mother recently discovered in 'Ewa Beach. Her van was stolen after she hurried into the bank, her sleeping sons taken along for the ride. Car and kids were recovered safely, but not everyone will be so lucky.

Gov. Linda Lingle favors a law that specifically targets adults for the offense of leaving children unattended, and state Rep. Marilyn Lee has been among those pursuing the same thing. Lawmakers have quibbled over the details, pointing out that more general endangerment laws can be applied.

But that's the problem. These laws have been on the books for years but because they're so general, parents have never got the message that leaving the kids "for a moment" is illegal.

Children will be safer if more adults can understand that their actions break the law as well as the bounds of good parenting.

This legislation deserves consideration.