Wisconsin’s hodgepodge of rules for using phone while driving

If you see orange cones, put down the phone. That is the gist of a new law about to take effect in Wisconsin. Starting October 1st, it will be illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving through work zones in Wisconsin. Drivers caught talking on their cell-phones, other than hands-free, while driving through work zones face a $40 fine on a first offense, and a $100 for any subsequent violation. It is good that Wisconsin is cracking down on those who use their phones behind the wheel. The DOT says distracted driving in the state causes about 24,000 crashes each year, about one every 20 minutes. But this hodge-podge of laws is too confusing, and have too many loopholes. For example, what exactly is a work zone? Does it apply when there is no actual work being done? Under current law, it is illegal to text while driving in Wisconsin. But only to send a text. It remains perfectly legal to read a text while driving. Or read an email. Or send an email. Or even surf the internet on your phone while barreling down the road at 70 mph. Wisconsin lawmakers need to go further, and make it illegal to do anything on our phones while behind the wheel if they really want us to stay safe on the roads.