It's now illegal to text while driving a car in Vermont. Governor Jim Douglas signed into law a ban on texting for all drivers, along with additional restrictions for younger drivers.

There's no agreement between the House and Senate about how far the state should go in banning mobile phones and texting.

The Vermont Senate has given its final approval to legislation that bans texting while driving. But quick passage of the bill is in jeopardy, because House leaders want to pass a more comprehensive highway safety bill.

VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with the vice chair of the House Juduciary Committee and vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee about a bill that would address talking on cell phones while driving, and other distracted behaviors.

Lawmakers debate how to curb cell phone use among drivers, and how comprehensive that bill should be. Also, a wrap up of the week's top news stories.

It could soon be illegal in Vermont to text while driving a car. That's because the Vermont Senate has given its unanimous approval to legislation that bans the activity.

House Speaker Shap Smith is calling on lawmakers to pass a comprehensive highway safety bill this session. He wants the proposal to include a ban on texting and a ban on using a hand held cell phone while driving.

Supporters of a bill that would ban texting while driving urged members of the Senate Transportation committee to quickly adopt the legislation this year. And they want the committee to include tough penalties as part of the law.

The Senate Transportation Committee is holding a hearing today on bills that would ban texting while driving, and members of the public will have their say. One of them will be Norman James, who's with the Vermont Department of Labor's "Project Road Safe."

It appears the Senate will soon vote on a bill that prohibits drivers from texting while they're operating their vehicles. Senate Transportation chairman Dick Mazza says he strongly supports the legislation.

Tapping out a quick text message behind the wheel could cost drivers a $100 fine under a law taking effect Jan. 1 in New Hampshire.

Put the BlackBerry away if you're behind the wheel in New York.

New Hampshire is debating making it illegal for drivers to send text messages on cell phones or type on laptop computers.