HARRISBURG -- Beware you drivers who talk on hand-held cell phones or text-message while you're behind the wheel. Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, is coming after you.

He has introduced House Bill 538, which would require drivers to use hands-free devices if they want to talk on their cell phone while driving. And no sending text messages while driving. It's an effort to reduce "distracted driving.''

It's a controversial measure, with some critics claiming Mr. Shapiro favors "nanny government,'' but he said support in the Legislature is growing. When he introduced this bill four years ago, it had only 31 co-sponsors. Now he has 67 co-sponsors, in both parties.

A study by the Public Policy Institute of California found that states that banned the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers saw traffic fatalities drop from 9 to 21 percent after the ban went into effect, he said. With 1,491 traffic deaths in 2007 on Pennsylvania roads, this bill could save up to 313 lives, he said.

Exceptions to the ban on the use of hand-held cell phones would be for law enforcement officers, drivers of mass transit vehicles and operators of emergency vehicles. Anyone violating the ban would pay a $50 fine.