SALEM - People who chat on their cell phones while driving are four times more likely to get into a serious accident as those who don't, according to national studies. If Oregon lawmakers get their way, they may also have a greater chance of getting a ticket.

Two new Senate bills would ban the use of hand-held cell phones and other personal communication devices by drivers while operating a vehicle. One bill goes a step further - also prohibiting “distracting activity” such as “reading, writing, performing personal grooming, interacting with pets.”

A significant number of people use their phones while driving.

Last year, at any time during the day, 6 percent of U.S. drivers were using cell phones while on the road, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2005, five of Oregon's 487 car-related fatalities were related to cell phone use, as were 234 of its 44,877 crashes, according to state statistics.

“Basically your head leaves the car when you are on the phone,” said Troy Costales, the administrator of Oregon's Department of Transportation's safety division. “You end up disengaging from your driving task and engaging in your talking task ... you tune out.”

Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, is co-sponsor of the bill that would earn drivers who use their commute time to talk on the phone or put on makeup a fine of up to $360. But she said her bill isn't targeting just mobile phone users.

“It's one thing to pick on cell phones, but there's a lot of other amazing things people do behind the wheel,” Burdick said.

But Costales says that talking on a cell phone can be more distracting than other activities because the motorist has to focus on the conversation that's taking place.

“It's a different level of distraction than the eating or shaving tend to be,” he said.

One recent study found that drivers who talk on mobile devices - regardless of whether they were handheld or handsfree - drove just as poorly as drunk drivers.

“We found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit” used in most U.S. states, said Frank Drews, a professor at the University of Utah and co-author on the study.

According to that report, drivers using cell phones were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes and showed 24 percent more variation in following distance. Three of the 40 cell-talking participants, who used a driving simulator, rear-ended the pace car.

“Impairments associated with using a cell phone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk,” the report stated.

Michael Bagley, executive director of public policy for Verizon Wireless said that the cellular carrier supports the ban because they don't include handsfree mobile devices that allow callers to make voice activated calls.

“We think it's better to keep both hands free so you can keep both hands on the wheel,” Bagley said.

Both proposed Oregon bills will come before committee next week.

Three states and the District of Columbia have outright bans on cell phone use for drivers. Six allow jurisdictions to ban their use.

But others may be joining the ranks.

California will implement a ban on handheld cell phones for drivers next year. And lawmakers in Vermont are considering a bill that would prohibit not just cell phone use but everything from smoking to playing a musical instrument while driving.

Maryland and Texas are also considering bills similar to those proposed in Oregon.