N.J. lawmakers mull raising penalty for talking on phone while driving

TRENTON &mdash Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering additional prohibitions on those who talk or text while driving. A bill sponsored by Sen. Richard Codey would increase fines and impose license suspensions for drivers who ignore the ban on talking or texting on hand-held phones. The fine is now $100. The Codey bill would increase the penalty to $250...

Michele Tantussi/BloombergThe penalties for talking or texting while driving might soon become harsher.

TRENTON &mdash Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering additional prohibitions on those who talk or text while driving.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Richard Codey would increase fines and impose license suspensions for drivers who ignore the ban on talking or texting on hand-held phones.

The fine is now $100. The Codey bill would increase the penalty to $250 for a second offense and to $500 for subsequent offenses. It also would impose a 60-day license suspension for those who violate the law three times or more.

The bill gets its first hearing in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today.

Another bill being considered by a Senate panel bans the use of cell phones and other electronic communication by bus and train operators while the vehicles are moving.

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