A recent study found that two-thirds of 18 to 24 year olds text message while driving

New Mexico could join a handful of states that outlaw text messaging while driving.

State lawmakers will get a look at a proposed law next week that would make it illegal to use a mobile phone to write short text messages while driving.

Some traffic safety experts say texting is even more dangerous than other driving distractions, like eating and talking on a cell phone. New Mexico could join California, New York and five other states that outlaw text messaging while driving.

State lawmaker Antonio Lujan said he has seen enough.

"Seems to be much more hazardous and becoming more and more prevalent," he said.

Lujan said he would allow some exceptions to the no texting while driving law, such as if a driver is having a medical emergency or is reporting illegal activity.

The movement to ban text messaging while driving is gaining momentum in the aftermath of the Los Angeles train wreck that killed 25 people and injured 135 others in September. The commuter train engineer was text messaging just seconds before slamming into a freight train.

Driver Mike Baker said that while he sometimes text messages while driving, he agrees with Lujan's proposal.

" I think it's a good idea for people who can't text message while they're driving," he said. 

Another driver, Sandra Garcia, also thinks drivers should stop texting and focus on the road.

"It's just as dangerous as talking and holding your phone while driving - it's just about as dangerous because you're not concentrating," she said.

The bill the legislature will consider calls for a $100 fine for drivers who get caught text messaging.

Two years ago, a statewide cell phone driving ban died in the legislature without a whimper. This year, with a tighter focus on text messaging, some lawmakers said the proposal has a good chance of passing.

In national polls, about 20 percent admit to texting while driving. But among drivers aged between 18 to 24, almost two-thirds said they text message while behind the wheel.