Texting while driving

Drivers who continue to use their cell phones for texting or talking while driving may soon face stiffer penalties.

This week, a New Jersey Senate committee advanced a measure that would increase penalties for texting or talking while driving to as much as $600, depending on the number of offenses.

“Right now, it’s a $100 fine. I would say right now that’s a slap on the wrist and what we’ve got to do is a slap in the face,” Sen. Dick Codey, D-Essex told WHYY reporter Phil Gregory. Codey is the bill’s primary sponsor.

The increased penalties would be $200 for a first offense, $400 for the second and $600 for the third, along with a three point penalty.

You can read more about the bill in the story “N.J. Senate panel backs tougher penalty for texting.”