House Backs Higher Fine For Texting-While-Driving Offenses

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Serial offenders of Minnesota's prohibition on texting while driving could soon face steeper fines.

As part of a transportation plan advancing Tuesday, House lawmakers have embraced a plan to raise fines for people caught more than once reading, composing and sending messages from wireless devices while driving.

The current fine is $50. The new fine for repeat violators would be $150.

The new fines would apply to offense committed after Aug. 1.

House members considered an amendment to include even heftier penalties, up to confiscation of phones for a third offense within a year. But that measure was withdrawn.

Gov. Mark Dayton urged a tougher repeat offender penalty earlier this year.