MADISON (WSAU) The Wisconsin Senate voted 27-to-5 this afternoon to make it against the law for all drivers to send-and-read text messages behind-the-wheel. Senators rejected a committee’s recommendation to limit the ban to only drivers under 18.
De Pere Republican Alan Lasee says texting is an absolute distraction – and it’s unsafe for everybody.
Republican Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn was one of the five voting no. He says there are already inattentive driving laws on the books that cover texting.
The proposed fine would be the same as for inattentive driving – 20-to-400-dollars. Also voting no were Republicans Glenn Grothman of West Bend, Joe Leibham of Sheboygan, and Mary Lazich of New Berlin, and South Milwaukee Democrat Jeff Plale. Democrat Kathleen Vinehout of Alma was absent.
The proposed texting ban for drivers now goes to the Assembly.
