Wisconsin texting while driving ban in effect

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- Wisconsin's ban on texting while driving went into effect Wednesday, making it the 30th state to enact such a law.

First-time violators face fines from $20 to $400 dollars, along with having four points added to their driving records. Second-time offenders will see those fines jump and could pay between $200 and $800.

Minnesota's ban went into effect in 2008. Since then, the State Patrol says roughly 800 drivers have either been ticketed or warned about texting while driving. There are challenges to enforcing the law, but it's not always about catching the driver in the act.

"Just like when we are arresting drunk drivers it's the swerving in the lane, not signaling lane changes, other distracted driving conduct that we typically will notice," said Lt. Eric Roeske with Minnesota State Patrol.

Lt. Roeske says distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents in the state. The law, he says, provides another way to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

 

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