Rell proposes stricter cell phone laws for drivers

HARTFORD, Conn. In a statement Saturday, Rell said she will submit legislation expanding the law to cover texting and eliminating the one-time exemption that allows motorists ticketed for violating the law to escape a fine by proving that they have purchased a hands-free accessory.

She said the five-year-old law has given Connecticut motorists enough time to get familiar with the law. But she said the state is still seeing preventable crashes caused by inattentive drivers using cell phones.

Nineteen states have prohibited text messaging while driving.