By Associated Press - Thursday, August 14, 2014

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Santa Fe is toughening its penalties for texting and doing other digital activities while driving.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to double the existing $100 fine for using a mobile device texting, posting on Twitter, updating Facebook or engaging in similar activities while driving.

The penalty triples if the offense is in a school zone during school hours.

The Santa Fe New Mexican (https://bit.ly/Y9kY2T ) reports that the city’s new penalties will be stiffer than those under the state’s anti-texting law. That law calls for fining violators $25 for a first offense and $50 for every subsequent violation.

Santa Fe’s new penalties take effect on Aug. 25.

Mayor Javier Gonzales says he introduced the proposal after seeing motorists texting in a school zone where children were walking across the street.

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