Previous posts have discussed the relationship between distracted drivers and catastrophic motor vehicle accidents. In an attempt to minimize one cause of distracted drivers, namely sending text messages while driving, Illinois Governor Quinn signed legislation, which takes effect on January 1, 2010, banning texting while driving throughout the state. The City of Chicago previously banned text-messaging while driving last year.
The bill does not prohibit talking on cell phones while driving, as long as the driver is not in Chicago. The City of Chicago previously passed a bill banning talking on a cell phone while driving in the city, but that did not extend to other parts of Illinois. However, Governor Quinn also signed a bill prohibiting drivers from talking on cell phones while driving through school-safety zones and construction zones. This is obviously designed to prevent serious car accidents involving construction workers or school-safety workers.
The new law prohibits drivers from doing the following with their cell phone or PDA while driving:
- sending text messages
- reading text messages
- surfing the internet
- downloading ring tones
- sending instant messagesre
Hopefully, this bill will achieve its designed purpose to reduce car and truck accidents caused by distracted drivers using their cell phones. To speak with a top car and truck accident lawyer, call Passen & Powell at (312) 527-4500.