As expected, the Wisconsin State Senate Tuesday passed a bill that prohibits texting while driving. Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign the legislation. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/90793699.html
The Senate voted 30-3 in favor of the texting ban, which still faces a vote, a formality, in the state Assembly in the next few days, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Senate was approving a bill passed by the Assembly in January, but the Senate changed the penalties mandated for violations of the ban. The Senate mandated fines of $20 to $400 for violations. The Assembly had set penalties of up to $400 for a first offense and from $200 to $800 for a second offense.
Right now 19 states and Washington, D.C., bar motorists from texting while they are driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.
Several studies cited by the Journal Sentinel found that the distraction of texting increases the risk of accidents.
Wisconsin’s texting ban will take effect seven months after Gov. Doyle signs it.
