Drivers may want to think twice before sending or responding to the latest email or text message in their cellular phone's inbox.

Last month, the 19-member Nassau County Legislature unanimously passed Local Law No. 11-2008 prohibiting text messaging and/or emailing while driving within the county.

"Studies have shown that texting while driving is extremely dangerous, and that motorists who engage in this activity are a danger to themselves and everyone else on the road," said Legislator Richard Nicolello. "This local law makes it an offense to send or receive text messages while driving."

Nassau's law, which will go into effect Dec. 27, follows a similar law passed in Suffolk back in May. "It is our hope that New York State will follow Nassau's lead and make this illegal across the state," said Nicolello.

Text messaging, also referred to as short messaging service (SMS), allows users to send electronic messages on wireless handsets such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and so-called "smartphones."

According to a Liberty Mutual Insurance Group study, instant and text messaging while driving leads the list as the biggest distraction while driving among teens. The study was conducted with more than 900 teens from 26 high schools nationwide and showed that text-messaging while driving is becoming as hazardous as drinking and driving, in terms of inhibiting a teen's driving abilities.

The study went on to state that even though 37 percent of teens rated text messaging while driving as "extremely" or "very" distracting, they continue to send and receive text messaging in their cars anyway.

The county, on its website, states that the popularity of text messaging has created a new distraction for drivers ... and has led to numerous accidents, many of them fatal, nationwide. "Text messaging while driving inevitably decreases driver awareness and safety on the roads, affecting reaction time and attention to the surrounding environment and roadways," the website states.

Under the bipartisan law, "no person shall use a wireless handset to compose or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle on any public street or public highway in the County of Nassau ..." Exceptions, however, will be made in the case of authorized emergency vehicle drivers. Additionally, the prohibitions do not apply to text messages composed via any voice recognition technology.

"The law is simple," said Legislator Edward Mangano. "No texting, no emailing. Just like you cannot read a newspaper while you are driving you cannot read your Blackberry, iPhone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle." He added that research shows that texting while driving presents an even greater risk than oral communication, particularly since drivers must take their eyes completely off the road to read, respond and send a message. "We want to break the habit now before more people become seriously injured," Mangano said.

Legislator Roger Corbin added, "This is one of the finest laws we, as a legislature, have passed. It will save a lot of lives..."

Nassau's law prohibiting text messaging and emailing while driving goes into effect Dec. 27 and violators can face a $150 fine, per offense, if caught.

"Text messaging has been proven to be one of the most serious distractions when someone is driving," said Legislator Judith Jacobs. "If this bill brings awareness to the general public how dangerous it is to take your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel, then it has accomplished the goal, which is not to give out tickets, but to make the roads safer."

According to Minority Leader Peter Schmitt, "This law will increase safety on our roads and will help all drivers remain safe and focused on driving. I urge all drivers to be mindful of their texting and always drive safely."