UNDATED (WTAQ) – Drivers in Wisconsin will have a new law to remember starting on Saturday.
As the Wisconsin Department of Transportation puts it, “See orange cones? Put down the phones!”
DOT officials say it will be illegal to talk on a hand-held mobile device while driving through a construction zone in Wisconsin. However, drivers will be able to use them to call 911.
Fines range as high as $40 for the first time a driver is caught, and could jump to as much as $100 every time after that.
“Holding a phone up to the ear takes precious attention away from the road,” David Pabst, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said in a statement. “In a work zone, there are narrow, shifting lanes and there is a lot of activity occurring in a condensed space. It’s vitally important that drivers stay focused and alert at all times.”
Speaking on hands-free calls is still legal even in work zones, but the DOT recommends not using the phone at all while driving through areas under construction. The DOT also shared these recommendations:
- Consider turning off the phone until you reach your destination.
- During a long drive, consider leaving a voice mail explaining how long you’ll be unavailable.
- If you have to make a call, find a secure place to pull over and stop, such as a wayside or a gas station.
