Wisconsin law bars new drivers from using cell phones

A new law takes effect in Wisconsin on Thursday that bans drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license from “using a cellular or other wireless telephone except to report an emergency.” The law is primarily aimed at teens, whose leading cause of death nationwide is traffic crashes, and distracted driving leads to many of those crashes, public safety officials say.

Author:: BMTN Staff
Publish date:: Nov 1, 2012

A new law takes effect in Wisconsin on Thursday that bans drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license from “using a cellular or other wireless telephone except to report an emergency,” the Green Bay Press Gazette reports.

The new law is primarily aimed at teens, whose leading cause of death nationwide is traffic crashes, the CDC says.

Texting while driving for all motorists is against the law in Wisconsin.

Minnesota has similar laws – no texting while driving for any driver, and drivers 18 and younger with learner or provisional licenses are banned from using cell phones. The Governors Highway Safety Association has a state-by-state comparison.

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Starting Thursday, drivers with an instruction permit, probationary license or fewer than three years of driving experience will no longer be allowed to use a cell phone while behind the wheel, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter. Violations will cost drivers up to $40 dollars for the first offense and up to $100 for a subsequent offense. Minnesota also bans novice drivers from all cell phone usage while driving in the state.

National transportation safety officials would like to see all state governments ban the use of cell phones in the driver's seat. One official called it "the new DUI." The recommendation comes after a deadly four-vehicle crash that investigators attribute to a driver who had sent 11 text messages in as many minutes just before the collision.

However, the Star Tribune reports it remains unclear whether the bill bans cell phone use only when passengers are in the cab, or at all times. Taxi companies say if it's at all times, they strongly oppose the rule.

Your cellular network sends messages from their towers to your phone. Hackers - or law enforcement - can use those messages to keep track of where you are. The U of M researchers say they've let cell companies know and have suggested changes.

The League of Women Voters has sued to try to stop a law that would require voters to show a photo ID before they can cast a ballot. The law is set to go into effect in Wisconsin in 2012. Republicans in Minnesota want to pass a similar rule but Gov. Dayton is opposed.