Wisconsin Joins List of States Banning Texting While Driving

Posted & filed under distracted driving, Wisconsin Car Insurance.

Earlier today, Wisconsin joined the growing number of states that have laws about driving and texting, when Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation banning Wisconsin drivers from sending text messages while behind the wheel. Other states with such laws already on the books, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) are Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Greg LaCost, assistant vice president of PCI said. “The enactment of these laws is positive step that can help make the roadways safer. However all drivers have a responsibility to exercise good judgment in all of their driving activities and cell phone use only represents one of a laundry list of distractions that can lead to a crash.”

According to reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 6,000 people died in crashes involving distracted or inattentive drivers, and more than half a million were injured in similar circumstances, in 2008. Their research also shows that the youngest and least experienced drivers – men and women under the age of 20 – were the greatest offenders.

Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that, in addition to the 25 states that already ban behind-the-wheel texting for all drivers, there are also nine other states which have texting prohibitions directed specifically at young drivers.