BOSTON — While acknowledging that he is not up to speed on the laws restricting cell phone use by drivers, Gov. Charlie Baker indicated Thursday he favors allowing people to continue chatting on hand-held phones while behind the wheel. 

"I don't want to get out of the business of making it possible for people to talk to other people when they're driving. Because I think the texting thing is a big problem. I'm not sure I believe that the talking thing is," Baker said during his "Ask the Governor" segment on WGBH Thursday. 

A 2010 law barred drivers from using cell phones to text messages while leaving phone calls and other cell phone activities unregulated. Citing the dangers posed by distracted drivers, the Senate one year ago passed a bill barring the use of handheld cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel. The House gave initial approval to a similar bill filed by House Transportation Committee Chairman William Straus, D-Mattapoisett, but it stalled out in the House. 

Proponents of the restriction argue the prevalance of multi-purpose cell phones is making traveling more dangerous for drivers, passenger and pedestrians. 

Co-host Jim Braude noted drivers would still be able to talk on the phone using a hands-free Bluetooth device. 

"So now we're just going to let people who can afford to put a Bluetooth in their new car to have the ability to talk when they're in a car?" Baker responded. "But we're not going to let anybody else? Hmm. Let me think about that one a little." 

The discussion was prompted by a caller who wanted to see some government action to bar the practice, and Baker acknowledged he had been "under a mistaken impression" about the law. Braude, who noted police have difficulty differentiating whether someone is talking or texting while holding a cell phone, said the topic would come up again when the governor stops by for his monthly visit in March. 

In October 2015, Baker said he wanted to see how the issue played out in the Legislature. 

"I would certainly be interested in seeing where the conversation on this goes. The technology on this stuff has gotten a lot more sophisticated than it was five years ago or so when it was last discussed here. But I'd be inclined to see where the Legislature moves on the specifics on this before I would take a position," Baker said at the time.