Distracted Driving In Wisconsin: A Look Into Wisconsin Cell Phone Laws

Distracted driving plays a major part in crashes that happen every day. States know the dangers of distracted driving, which is why 48 out of 50 states in the country have put a ban on text messaging for all drivers in place. Wisconsin is no different and they have strict cell phone laws in place for all drivers. Check out the Wisconsin distracted driving laws below!

Wisconsin Cell Phone Laws

Whether you are learning to drive in Wisconsin or a seasoned driver, it's always a good idea to have a refresher course on what the current laws are. When it comes to Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles seems to be in line with a lot of other states and how they regulate it. The following are the Wisconsin distracted driving laws in place right now:

• Texting while driving is against the law for ALL drivers in Wisconsin.
• Hand-held or hands-free cell phone use while driving is against the law in Wisconsin for any driver with a probationary license or instruction permit, except to report an emergency.
• No driver may use a hand-held, mobile device when driving through a road work zone, except to report an emergency.
• Commercial vehicle drivers may not use handheld devices while driving.

Exceptions To The Rules

Of course, the Wisconsin DMV understands special circumstances may happen, so there are exceptions to the rules above. If you have an emergency, you can use your phone to call 911. The following exceptions are also in place:

• The use of GPS or other navigational systems is permitted.
• The use of a display screen to monitor backseat passengers, or traffic, road, and weather conditions, is permitted.
• Operators of authorized emergency vehicles are exempt from the state’s distracted driving laws.
• The use of any device whose primary function is transmitting and receiving emergency alert messages related to the operation of the vehicle is permitted.
• The use of any accessory that is integrated into the electrical system of a vehicle is permitted.
• Licensed amateur radio operators are permitted to engage in 2-way radio communication, provided they observe proper amateur radio operating procedures.

Enforcement of Distracted Driving Laws

How police can enforce these distracted driving laws depends on your state laws. There are two ways these laws can be enforced:

1. Primary enforcement - This means the police can pull you over if they see you violating state distracted driving laws.
2. Secondary enforcement - This means the police can cite you for violating distracted driving laws only if you break another law while doing so.

In Wisconsin, it is considered a primary enforcement, which means if a police officer sees you sending a text message or talking on a handheld device while you are driving, they can pull you over and give you a citation.

Distracted Driving Law Fines

Speaking of citations, if you violate the distracted driving law in Wisconsin, the following rules are put in place:

• Ticket for Inattentive Driving, fine of $20 to $400 and four demerit points.
• Demerit points double if you have an instruction permit or probationary license and a prior moving violation.
• Graduated Driver License (GDL) restrictions are extended six more months if you have a probationary license, are under GDL restrictions and have a prior moving conviction.
• If you have an instruction permit, you must wait six months from the date of violation to be eligible for a probationary license.

The mission of Coastline Academy is to help put an end to car crashes. With more laws and emphasis put on distracted driving, we can all take steps to seeing that happen.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.