AAA Applauds Wisconsin on Becoming the 25th State to Prohibit Text Messaging While Driving
Six states have enacted texting while driving bans this year as AAA's campaign to pass bans in all 50 states reaches the halfway point
WASHINGTON, May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAA commends Wisconsin on becoming the 25th state to outlaw text messaging by all drivers. Governor Jim Doyle signed the bill into law on Wednesday, marking the halfway point in the effort to pass texting bans in all 50 states. Wisconsin is the sixth state in 2010 to ban text messaging while driving and AAA expects several more states will enact similar legislation this year.
"Wisconsin gets us halfway to AAA's campaign goal of passing text messaging bans for all drivers in all 50 states," said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. "Last year, 12 states enacted text messaging bans for all drivers and we anticipate that several more states will act against this dangerous source of driver distraction this year.
"Texting while driving is associated with significant physical and cognitive distractions and the proliferation of the practice is endangering all users of our nation's roadways. Surveys show the overwhelming majority of Americans agree that this behavior is dangerous and they support text messaging bans. AAA urges legislators in states without texting bans to pass laws this year."
"AAA Wisconsin applauds the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor Doyle for passing this new law that will significantly enhance driving safety across our state," said AAA Wisconsin Regional President Tom Frymark. "We'll continue to make drivers aware of the dangers of texting while driving and of the importance of obeying this new law."
Research conducted over the last two years by the Auto Club of Southern California has shed light on the positive impact of laws prohibiting text messaging while driving such as California's texting while driving ban. Observations in Orange County in July 2009 showed that texting had dropped about 70 percent, to 0.4 percent of all drivers, in the first six months of California's ban. Observations conducted in late March and early April 2010 show that texting had increased to 1.1 percent, but remained below the 1.4 percent usage rate observed prior to the law taking effect.
The Auto Club of Southern California research offers evidence that legislation outlawing text messaging by all drivers can have a positive effect on driver behavior, which should improve the safety of motorists and non-motorists alike. However, the upturn in texting rates shown in the latest research illustrates the need for visible enforcement, significant penalties and continued public education.
Legislation to establish or improve an existing ban on text messaging while driving is currently being considered in the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Vermont.
The following states and the District of Columbia now prohibit text messaging by all drivers: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Wisconsin's law will become effective November 1, 2010. Wisconsin joins Michigan, Kentucky, Nebraska, Iowa, and Wyoming in enacting text messaging bans for all drivers in 2010. The dates on which those respective laws take effect are as follows:
- Michigan – July 1, 2010
- Kentucky – Effective immediately when signed on April 15, penalties effective January 1, 2011
- Nebraska – July 15, 2010
- Iowa – July 1, 2010, penalties effective July 1, 2011
- Wyoming – July 1, 2010
As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
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Troy Green
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