Gov. Bill Richardson said today he wants to ban talking on hand-held phones while driving in the state.
He plans to support legislation in 2010 that would prohibit driving without a headset, like several cities in the state have already done.
“Driver distraction is a major cause of accidents, and the use of cell phones while driving is increasingly a problem,” Richardson said in statement.
“We’ve all seen drivers swerving around the road while talking on the phone and texting, putting the safety and lives of New Mexicans in danger.”
Thom Turbett, president of SafeTeen New Mexico, said in a statement that people who use cell phones and drive are four times more likely to get into accidents. “Technology has created a situation that is causing much greater risk to everyone who drives,” he said.
The proposed legislation would make it a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $200.
Going into his last session, the move seems like a pretty sure win for Richardson. While not everyone likes it, bans are generally popular across the country.
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