Most people understand that texting while driving is very dangerous, but they may not understand what the law says. Part of the confusion stems from the fact that there isn’t a federal law for the average driver of a passenger vehicle regarding texting and driving. Instead, these laws are made at the state level. Not every state has a ban on texting while driving, but Wisconsin does.
When it comes to mobile phone use while driving in Wisconsin, the activity in which a driver engages and the kind of license they have determines whether or not they are breaking the law. Those with probationary licenses or instructional permits cannot use either hand-held or hands-free phones to make or answer a call. However, adults with standard driver’s licenses can typically use their phones for calls, ideally with a hands-free system. However, it’s important to note that hand-held phone use is prohibited for drivers of any age or license driving through a road work zone.
It is important to note that the texting while driving ban in Wisconsin does not have any sort of age limit. A driver of any age and with any sort of license could wind up with a ticket or liable for causing a crash if they decide to text while driving. Penalties could include a ticket and four points against the driver’s license.
The better you understand the rules regarding cell phone use in Wisconsin, the better prepared you will be to take legal action to give someone who violates the law and causes a crash.
