Texting while driving ban went into effect recently

It's only been illegal across the state for two months, but police are ticketing drivers for texting behind the wheel.New Mexico lawmakers decided to pass a statewide texting-while-driving ban last session. Now New Mexico State Police officers write tickets and pass out fines for the offense.Since July 1, 55 texting-while-driving citations have been issued by state police officers. Of the 55, only 12 people got away with a warning.Sgt. Chad Pierce, with the New Mexico State Police, said it's working."I think it's changing habits," Pierce said.The tickets are given to drivers from New Mexico and those just traveling through the state.On the citations, officers write what they saw. One watched a driver "using a tablet" behind the wheel. Another says the driver admitted to "checking their GPS" on the phone."We don't just look for someone who's looking down or looking around in the vehicle," Pierce said.Police have to observe a person using his or her phone to pull the driver over. The law does say that includes being stopped at a red light.Pierce said ticket numbers will continue to rise because it's a way to educate drivers."Even one officer stopping one vehicle for this violation, basically, possibly could have prevented an accident or even a death," Pierce said.State police said they are working on getting some highway signs up along highways letting people know it's illegal.The fine for texting while driving will cost you about $80.

It's only been illegal across the state for two months, but police are ticketing drivers for texting behind the wheel.

New Mexico lawmakers decided to pass a statewide texting-while-driving ban last session. Now New Mexico State Police officers write tickets and pass out fines for the offense.


Since July 1, 55 texting-while-driving citations have been issued by state police officers. Of the 55, only 12 people got away with a warning.

Sgt. Chad Pierce, with the New Mexico State Police, said it's working.

"I think it's changing habits," Pierce said.

The tickets are given to drivers from New Mexico and those just traveling through the state.

On the citations, officers write what they saw. One watched a driver "using a tablet" behind the wheel. Another says the driver admitted to "checking their GPS" on the phone.

"We don't just look for someone who's looking down or looking around in the vehicle," Pierce said.

Police have to observe a person using his or her phone to pull the driver over. The law does say that includes being stopped at a red light.

Pierce said ticket numbers will continue to rise because it's a way to educate drivers.

"Even one officer stopping one vehicle for this violation, basically, possibly could have prevented an accident or even a death," Pierce said.

State police said they are working on getting some highway signs up along highways letting people know it's illegal.

The fine for texting while driving will cost you about $80.