Number
241847
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
221621, 181420, 211923
Sponsor
ALD. BURGELIS, PEREZ, MOORE, WESTMORELAND AND BAUMAN
Title
Resolution amending the City of Milwaukee’s legislative package to seek introduction and passage of state legislation to make Wisconsin a "hands-free cell phone state."
Analysis
This resolution amends the City of Milwaukee’s legislative package to advocate for the introduction and passage of state legislation to make Wisconsin a "hands-free cell phone state," improving roadway safety across the state.
Body
Whereas, From 2012 to 2022, traffic deaths in Milwaukee increased by 107.1%, while traffic fatalities climbed by 45.8% in the state’s next 19 largest cities over that same time period; and
Whereas, Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities nationwide, with handheld cell phone use significantly contributing to these incidents; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin State Legislature has previously adopted laws to prevent distracted driving and promote public safety, including banning texting while driving, prohibiting the use of handheld mobile devices in construction zones, and banning individuals with probationary licenses from using cell phones while driving; and
Whereas, On March 3, 2025, through File Number 25-147, the Milwaukee County Supervisors Committee on Intergovernmental Relations recommended for adoption a resolution urging the Wisconsin State Legislature to pass legislation requiring drivers to utilize hands-free technology to reduce the likelihood of distraction-related crashes; and
Whereas, Collaboration between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County on this issue is critical to presenting a unified effort to improve roadway safety for all Wisconsin residents and to ensure consistent enforcement of distracted driving laws across municipalities; and
Whereas, Statewide legislation would align Wisconsin with over 30 other states that have already enacted hands-free driving laws, which have been shown to significantly reduce distracted driving accidents and fatalities; and
Whereas, Studies from states with hands-free laws have demonstrated decreases in traffic-related injuries and fatalities, such as a 16% reduction in traffic deaths in Georgia and a 22% decrease in distracted driving crashes in Oregon after adopting hands-free legislation; and
Whereas, Enacting hands-free cell phone legislation is a proactive step to protect all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, and creates safer environments for commuters and families; and
Whereas, Since traffic stops have historically disproportionally impacted people of color, implementation of this safety measure should not be used as a pretense to request citizenship status or immigration documentation from any driver; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee’s legislative package is amended to seek introduction and passage of state legislation to make Wisconsin a "hands-free cell phone state"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee shall work in partnership with Milwaukee County, leveraging shared data, advocacy efforts, and public awareness campaigns to support the introduction and passage of this legislation at the state level; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee urges other Wisconsin municipalities to join this collaborative effort, amplifying the call for statewide hands-free cell phone legislation to improve roadway safety for all Wisconsin residents.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB180465-1
Alex Highley
3/20/2025