Motorists caught using cell phones while behind the wheel will soon be facing fines of up to $1,000.Senate yesterday approved the Traffic Offences Penalties Amendment Bills, introducing penalties for those caught driving while distracted.According to the legislation, the offence of driving while distracted includes driving a motor vehicle or riding an auxiliary cycle while using a cell phone, hand-held device or hand-held electronic entertainment device.It also prohibits driving a vehicle equipped with a display screen visible to the driver.Junior National Security Minister Jonathan Smith said that driving while using an electronic device has been proven to be just as dangerous as driving while impaired.“Every day, there are far too many examples of irresponsible riding and driving on our roads,” he said.“It is quite common these days to see drivers and riders talking on cell phones while driving on our roads.“Clearly measures need to be taken to stop this dangerous practice, and the offences and harsh penalties enshrined in the amendment legislation are designed to have this outcome.”He noted that similar legislation has been put in place in around 50 other countries, and both the Road Safety Council and the Bermuda Police Service supported the bill.Other Senators agreed, noting their own experiences seeing reckless driving, and passed the amendments unanimously.