The Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande that would ban drivers of public transportation vehicles from sending text, or electronic, messages.

The measure, A-3358, comes after a September train crash in California that killed 25 and wounded 135 others. The engineers sent and received texts seconds before the commuter train blew past a red light and collided with a freight train.

"That was a tragic loss of lives that should never be repeated," Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer," said. "I hope this law would serve as a reminder to New Jersey's bus drivers and train operators that countless lives are in their hands and they must use all their attention to safely operating their vehicles."

If enacted, the bill would charge violators with a disorderly persons offense that carries a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months imprisonment.