When the state Legislature meets in January, Governor Bill Richardson plans introduce a bill that would ban the use of hand-held cell phones for talking or texting by drivers in New Mexico. Driving while talking on the cell phone would be punishable by a fine of up to $200. Public employees would be banned from even using hands-free devices.

“Driver distraction is a major cause of accidents, and the use of cell phones while driving is increasingly a problem,” Richardson said in a 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.”

The bill would include exemptions for emergency calls to and from medical, safety or law enforcement personnel.

The press release cited a University of Utah study on cell phone usage while driving that said driving while talking on the phone is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.

Currently, the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe do not allow the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, while a ban will go in effect in Las Cruces in February.

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama banned texting while driving for federal employees. Federal employees are only allowed to talk on a cell phone while driving in emergency situations.