Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima says the city council will consider banning the use of cell phones without hands-free sets and sending text messages while driving.
The issue will be discussed at the council’s Sept. 14 work session, Miyagishima wrote today in an e-mail to constituents.
Miyagishima wrote that he does not support a complete ban on cell-phone use while driving but believes hands-free sets should be required. He said the meeting comes “in response to public concerns as well as recent reports about the dangers of ‘Texting while Driving.’”
Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Española already require those who talk on cell phones while driving to use hands-free sets. And earlier this year, the state Legislature considered a statewide ban on texting while driving. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Lujan, D-Las Cruces, passed the House but died in the Senate.