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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Will WI be the Next State to Require Hands-Free Cell Phones for Drivers?

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014   

WISCONSIN, Wis. – Saying it will decrease the number of distracted-driving injuries and fatalities on Wisconsin roads, two Democrats – Rep. Peter Barca of Kenosha and Sen. John Lehman of Racine – have introduced legislation requiring a hands-free device when using a cell phone while driving.

If the bill passes and becomes law, Barca says there is absolutely no doubt it will save lives.

"There have been a large number of studies that have been conducted – the State Patrol, insurance companies, Triple A,” Barca relates. “All the experts in this field have indicated that this is the type of legislation that clearly makes an enormous difference in terms of reducing the number of crashes and saving lives."

A Harvard study reported cell phone use contributes to 6 percent of all the crashes in the U.S. and 2,600 deaths annually.

Barca admits the bill will draw plenty of opposition.

"Well I think we certainly have support in society for this legislation,” he maintains. “It will not be easy to pass this bill, obviously.

“When I passed the banning texting while driving it was very difficult to get it through, despite the fact that there was strong support from society for this."

Barca points out that 40 other states now also ban texting while driving.

In January, Illinois became the 12th state to prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving.

According to Barca, if the bill should become law, enforcement will be a challenge.

"Well, enforcement is not easy, I'll grant you that,” he says. “But the goal of this legislation is not so much enforcement as it is awareness.

“It's helping people understand that with increased technology now there are other options available."

A 2009 study from the Wisconsin State Patrol said inattentive driving was a factor in 18 percent of crashes and 14 percent of fatal crashes.





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