Bill aims to curb distracted driving, crashes
MADISON - Put your phone down.
That's the message several state lawmakers want to send drivers in Wisconsin, saying that 121 deaths occurred in 2016 related to distracted driving. Legislators unveiled a bill Thursday to tighten distracted driving laws by extending a prohibition on texting to social media and other potential smartphone uses.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ron Tusler (R-Harrison), Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), would prohibit drivers from using smartphones to "enter, transmit, or access data" while driving.
In other words, the bill would block activities such as using Twitter or surfing the web while driving as well as other phone activities that have yet to catch on.
Current law prohibits drivers from texting and emailing. The proposed amendment would expand the definition of distracted driving to encompass future technologies.
"Responsible cell use is possible while driving, but snapping, tweeting and posting are for another place and time than the driver's seat," Tusler said.
To enforce careful driving, the measure increases the fine for texting from $20 to $100, with a maximum fine of $400.
"What tweet is worth $400?" Tusler asked at a news conference.
It's unclear if the legislation will win the backing of the GOP-held Legislature. In the past, opponents have criticized such proposals as being the work of a "nanny state" and questioned how practical they are to enforce.
But sponsors point to state Department of Transportation figures that more than 11,000 injuries each year are related to distracted driving. The legislation also establishes that drivers who hit and kill people while distracted by their phones will be slapped with a felony charge of homicide by negligent use of a vehicle.
Motorists will be able to use navigation systems.
"When you put that key in the ignition, you ... exercise the power of life and death over everybody you come in contact with," Wanggaard said. "Think about that."