NEW MEXICO COULD END UP WITH A TEXTING WHILE DRIVING BAN IF STATE LAWMAKERS GET THEIR WAY. THE MEASURE BEING CONSIDERED WOULD LET JUDGES HIT OFFENDERS WITH FINES OF UP TO 300 DOLLARS ... AND IF SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL IS TWEAKED JUST RIGHT, NEW MEXICO COULD GET A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY FOR DISTRACTED DRIVING EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS.

THE SENATE BILL COULD BE SET FOR A VOTE THIS WEEK. STUDIES INDICATE THE ODDS OF GETTING IN A WRECK ARE 23 TIMES HIGHER WHEN YOU TEXT AND DRIVE. AND STATISTICS SHOW SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLING IN NEW MEXICO IN 2009 BECAUSE OF CELL PHONE DISTRACTION.