Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation on Thursday that will hike fines for texting or phoning while driving without a hands-free device, with local governments and the state splitting the revenue.
The bill, S-69, will increase the present $100 fine to a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $400 for a first offense, $400 to $600 for a second offense, and $600 to $800 for a subsequent offense. It also will allow a judge to suspend a third-time offender's license for 90 days. Third and subsequent offenders would get three motor vehicle penalty points.
