WELLINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Drivers in New Zealand will be banned from using cellphones while driving from November, the government announced on Thursday.

    Transport Minister Steven Joyce said that from Nov. 1, it will be against the law for people to text or talk on their cellphones while driving.

    Between 2003 and 2008, there were 25 fatal car crashes in which the use of mobile phone was a contributing factor, the government said.

    Drivers caught using hand-held mobile phones from November will receive an infringement notice consisting of an 80 NZ dollars (53 U.S. dollars) fine and 20 demerit points.

    However, drivers will still be able to use hands-free devices and two-way radios, it added.