City of Marshfield's Cell Phone Ban Suspended
Wednesday, March 25th, 2015 -- 8:18 AM
(Marshfield News Hearld) -The Marshfield City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to suspend the city's cellphone ban.According to the Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza said he received an email from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation that suggested city ordinances that ban drivers from talking on cellphones might not be lawful.
Marshfield's city attorney is working to clarify that the wording of the city ordinance banning cellphone use conforms to state law, Mayor Chris Meyer said. While the city's ban on talking on cellphones while driving has been suspended, state law prohibits texting while driving, Meyer said. Emergency use of a cellphone to report a crash or safety issue won't result in a citation, Gramza said.
State law specifies no motorist may text while driving, and using a cellphone while driving is against the law for any driver with a probationary license or instruction permit, except to report an emergency. The law applies to hand-held and hands-free operation of a cellphone. It also allows for the use of a cellphone to report an emergency.
Pending further action by the City Council, motorists can use cellphones to talk while driving, he said.
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