Wis. Assembly Passes Cell Phone Ban for Teen Drivers

A proposal that would ban teen drivers from using cell phones passed the Assembly, 90-7, and now heads to the state Senate.

Wisconsin would be the 16th state to limit or ban cell phone use by teen drivers if the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle.

The issue has been proposed but failed to pass in Wisconsin numerous times since 1997.

AAA Wisconsin and other advocates argue that the measure would improve safety on the roads. No one was registered as lobbying against the idea, although Verizon Wireless was listed as neutral.

Another bill in the Legislature that hasn’t come up for a vote would only ban text messaging while driving.