A number of teen drivers will be affected by a Wisconsin law taking effect November 1. The new law bans motorists, who have probationary drivers licenses or instruction permits, from using a cell phone.
“This will help with eliminating some of the opportunity for them to get involved in a crash,” says State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable with the DOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 11 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.
Huxtable is hoping this law will establish good habits for the newer drivers, an age group who is used to being constantly connected to their phones.
The new law will apply to other probationary licensed motorists including those drivers licensed in other countries and new state residents who have fewer than three years of driving experience. It makes exceptions for affected drivers who are reporting an emergency.
