Maryland’s law against distracted driving has been around for years, stopping drivers from using handheld phones on the road. It only counted as a secondary offense, though, so even if a cop spotted someone chatting away, they couldn’t stop them just for that. The officer needed another reason to pull the driver over.

This week Maryland legislators gave the law teeth by introducing legislation intended to upgrade it to a primary offense. That means that talking on a cell phone while you are driving can get you a citation as fast as speeding through a school zone. Of course, talking on a cell phone while you are stopped at a traffic light is still perfectly legal.

The bill will need to be approved by both houses and be signed by the governor before becoming law, so there is still time to adjust your driving habits before you run afoul of any changes in the law. And avoiding distractions while driving is a good idea regardless of what the law demands.

The first offense would be punishable by up to a $75 fine. A second offense could bring a ticket of up to $125, and a third could result in a $175 fine.