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 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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