Ban On Texting While Driving To Become New Mexico Law

A proposal to ban texting while driving in New Mexico will become official law.

Gov. Susana Martinez is scheduled to sign legislation that would prohibit texting while operating a vehicle Sunday afternoon.

Martinez will sign the bill while visiting the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque.

The proposal will prohibit drivers from sending or reading text messages and emails, or making Internet searches from smartphones or other handheld wireless devices. There would be a $25 fine for a first violation and $50 for subsequent violations.

The bill would make exceptions for situations such as summoning medical or other emergency aid.

Forty-one other states ban texting by all drivers.

New Mexico already prohibits texting for teenage drivers with a learner’s or provisional license.