TRENTON -- Last month, a bill was introduced in the state Legislature that caused some to worry they may soon be ticketed for drinking coffee behind the wheel.

On Thursday morning, the state Assembly transportation committee will discuss that measure and two similar bills as it holds a hearing to consider how the Garden State can crack down on distracted driving.

The panel will also hear testimony from the National Transportation Safety Board on an issue that data shows has become a leading cause for fatal care crashes in the age of cell phones and other gadgets.

The committee's chairman, Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), said none of the legislation will be voted on.

"Are there potentials for improvement here?" said Wisniewki, a main sponsor on all the measures. "I'd like to hear what people have to say."

If passed, the main bill in the package (A1908) would prohibit drivers in the state from "engaging in any activity, not related to the operation of the vehicle, in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle."

And it would be maybe the toughest such laws in the nation. Violators could face a $200 to $400 fine for the first offense and a $400 to $600 fine for a second offense. A third or subsequent offense could lead to a fine of $600 to $800 and up to a 90-day license suspension, as well as motor vehicle points.

The problem? The measure doesn't specifically say what activities would be banned. It would be up to police officers to decide.

That caused the bill to become a major topic on talk-radio shows and social media, with some wondering if eating, sipping coffee, or grooming themselves while driving could lead to tickets.

Wisniewski, a likely Democratic candidate for governor next year, said the goal is not to penalize coffee drinkers. Instead, it's meant to stop people from using electronic devices or reading newspapers in the driver's seat and to make people more aware of distracted driving.

"Any bill we put in there -- like the seat belt bill -- can cops abuse it? Sure," he said. "Speed limit bill? Sure. The idea a cop could pull someone pull over someone for drinking coffee? Sure."

"But is it probable? No," Wisniewski added. "Because the cop's got to go to court and explain why they pulled Mrs. Jones over for sipping a latte."

The other two bills would create a task force on distracted driving (A854) and make it so those who are caught failing to maintain a line while engaged in districted driving can be charged with being reckless under the state's vehicular homicide statute (A4062).

A State Police analysis showed that distracted driving was the top contributing factor in fatal crashes in New Jersey in 2013 and 2014.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.