Assembly approves ban on texting while driving
1/27/2010
By Elsa Janson
Contributions by Chelsea Einerwold and Brittany Berrens
Wisconsin could soon become the twentieth state to ban texting while operating a motor vehicle.
On January 19 the Wisconsin State Assembly approved a bill that would make texting while driving illegal. From here the Assembly and the Senate must agree on a final bill to be passed on to Governor Jim Doyle for approval.
Current law prohibits inattentive driving, which means that a driver of a motor vehicle may not be so distracted or occupied as to interfere with the safe driving of the vehicle. Activities such as applying make-up or reading the newspaper fall under this category. Any person convicted of inattentive driving may be required to pay a fine of no less than $20 and no more than $400.
University of Wisconsin-Superior student Paul Carland strongly agrees with the Assembly’s recent decision.
“Now why would they want to pass a law that saves lives... of course I support it. I hate texters who drive,” said Carland.
Freshman Business Administration major Stephanie Xu also agrees with the bill.
“I agree that Wisconsin should pass the law to ban texting while driving. I will follow this law, because that will cause less car accidents,” said Xu.
A report by the Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety released in early January said that texting and/or using electronic devices while driving is similar to driving while intoxicated. Reflexes are delayed and attention is diverted from the road.
Senior Jordan Appicelli, admits she isn’t as good of a driver when she’s distracted by her cell phone.
“I have stupidly done this a time or two and when I finally look up from texting, I notice either how slow I'm driving, or how I just missed that one car in front of me,” said Appicelli.
Freshman Eric Klinka, feels like this potential ban is a misuse of power.
“Well, I do admire the thought of trying to keep the state safer to drive in, but I hate the thought of the government using too much power, such as this. So I would say I'm upset about it, even though I don't text and drive, I find this a misuse of power,” said Klinka.
The Assembly and Senate must iron out some discrepancies between here and the governor’s desk. The two major wrinkles pertain to the definition of operation of vehicle and the penalties that violators would face.
The potential ban would come in to effect seven months after Doyle’s approval.
On January 19 the Wisconsin State Assembly approved a bill that would make texting while driving illegal. From here the Assembly and the Senate must agree on a final bill to be passed on to Governor Jim Doyle for approval.
Current law prohibits inattentive driving, which means that a driver of a motor vehicle may not be so distracted or occupied as to interfere with the safe driving of the vehicle. Activities such as applying make-up or reading the newspaper fall under this category. Any person convicted of inattentive driving may be required to pay a fine of no less than $20 and no more than $400.
University of Wisconsin-Superior student Paul Carland strongly agrees with the Assembly’s recent decision.
“Now why would they want to pass a law that saves lives... of course I support it. I hate texters who drive,” said Carland.
Freshman Business Administration major Stephanie Xu also agrees with the bill.
“I agree that Wisconsin should pass the law to ban texting while driving. I will follow this law, because that will cause less car accidents,” said Xu.
A report by the Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety released in early January said that texting and/or using electronic devices while driving is similar to driving while intoxicated. Reflexes are delayed and attention is diverted from the road.
Senior Jordan Appicelli, admits she isn’t as good of a driver when she’s distracted by her cell phone.
“I have stupidly done this a time or two and when I finally look up from texting, I notice either how slow I'm driving, or how I just missed that one car in front of me,” said Appicelli.
Freshman Eric Klinka, feels like this potential ban is a misuse of power.
“Well, I do admire the thought of trying to keep the state safer to drive in, but I hate the thought of the government using too much power, such as this. So I would say I'm upset about it, even though I don't text and drive, I find this a misuse of power,” said Klinka.
The Assembly and Senate must iron out some discrepancies between here and the governor’s desk. The two major wrinkles pertain to the definition of operation of vehicle and the penalties that violators would face.
The potential ban would come in to effect seven months after Doyle’s approval.