Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Two mobile phone bills signed into law

Posted in:

Illinois

House Bill 1247 prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on any road in Illinois while using a mobile phone or other electronic communication device. The bill makes exceptions for hands-free devices, including those with headsets that can initiate a call using a single button or a voice command. The new law takes effect January 1, 2014.

“When people get behind the wheel, they have a responsibility to themselves and to others to drive safely,” State Representative John D’Amico (D-Chicago), a co-sponsor of the bill, said. “When motorists are on the phone, they are not giving their full attention to the most important task they have. This law will help reduce traffic accidents and make Illinois roads safer.”

House Bill 2585 increases the penalties that can be imposed on drivers whose use of an electronic device while driving causes an accident. If the accident causes great bodily harm, the driver can be sentenced to up to 1 year in prison, and a fatal accident can result in a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years. Current law only allows these drivers to be charged with traffic violations. The new law takes effect January 1, 2014.

“Distracted driving is not only dangerous—it’s deadly,” Governor Quinn said in a press release. “Too many Illinois families have suffered because of accidents that could have been prevented. Anyone driving a car should be careful, responsive, and alert behind the wheel. These new laws will save lives.”

* More…

Drivers involved in injury-causing accidents could face up to a year in prison

“If somebody was in a school zone talking on a cell phone and they ran someone over, and if they hurt them severely or killed them, they’d get written up for a $200 ticket. That’s it,” said state Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), the bill’s chief House sponsor.

“We’ve seen more horrific things by people distracted by video devices or cell phones, and the penalties on the books for those crimes are no more than a petty offense. It’s like their tail lights are out,” she said. “The main goal is public safety, and at the end of the day that’s what we really want.”

* But…

Despite the growing push to require drivers to put their phones on speaker or use a headset, researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have found little difference between drivers who use hand-held cell phones and those who use hands-free devices.

Rather, researchers contend that all cell phone use is equally distracting once a conversation starts, noting that accident rates did not change in other states that have implemented bans on hand-held phones behind the wheel.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 10:59 am

Comments

Having been run off the road twice by people texting (or doing who knows what on their phone), I support the proposed law. While it may not be the solution to prevent distracted driving, it is a step in the right direction.

Comment by Slick Willy Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:02 am
More nanny state garbage. Talking on the phone is no more distracting than talking to someone in the car. And what about those who engage in eating, messing with CD’s and radio, putting on makeup, etc (I even saw someone shaving years ago)…?

Comment by Boog Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:04 am
Nanny state nonsense.

Comment by John A Logan Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:16 am
I have been opposed to this since the idea was introduced. I can see some merit to the law in towns and cities, but there is absolutely no difference between using a handheld cell phone and using a speaker phone when you are making that mind numbing drive up or down I-55,or I57. I think people will continue to do it until they get caught. Took my kid to school today and saw two people using cell phones in the school zone.

Comment by Jaded Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:22 am
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/15/using-phones-while-driving-doesnt-increase-crash-risk/

Comment by Allen Skillicorn Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:28 am
=== …researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have found little difference between drivers who use hand-held cell phones and those who use hands-free devices… noting that accident rates did not change in other states that have implemented bans on hand-held phones behind the wheel. ===

Let’s not let facts get in the way.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:29 am
=== I think people will continue to do it until they get caught. Took my kid to school today and saw two people using cell phones in the school zone.===

So, by this logic we should also get rid of those pesky DUI laws too, since people drive drunk anyway. Having been almost creamed by morons with a phone stuck to their face on more occasions than I can count, I think these new laws are long overdue. Now at least there is a penalty that can be applied against people who aren’t as talented at multitasking as they think they are.

Comment by TwoFeetThick Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:43 am
Used to hands-free driving around Chicago. Every phone I’ve had came with a set of cheap earbuds that work fine.

It’s the folks using their handset AND drinking coffee while gunning a late left on yellow that amaze/scare me.

Comment by MarkT Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 11:58 am
== Talking on the phone is no more distracting than talking to someone in the car. ==

False. The passenger is another set of eyes to watch what’s happening ahead. Instead of continuing a serious conversation, the passenger will often dispense with the chatter to alert the driver of unsafe conditions. That doesn’t happen with the person at the other end of the cell phone conversation.

Comment by reformer Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:08 pm
== all cell phone use is equally distracting ==

This ban on only handheld phone conversations reinforces the myth that hands-free conversations while driving are safe.

Comment by reformer Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:10 pm
As long as there’s a carve-out for hands-free, I’m against the law. I wonder why the hands-free carve-out was included anyway. Whose votes did it get? The luxury car set, and/or the legislators that depend on them for cash?

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:20 pm
I support the law but if it’s not enfored it’s all just fluff and PR.

Comment by Dan S, a Cubs fan Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:26 pm
Another nanny state decision.

Comment by Downstater Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:36 pm
Another law to be selectively enforced if at all just like the current laws. Make the penalty death, who really cares

Comment by Hank Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:45 pm
I’m not a fan of giving a guy prison time because he checked a text message.

I think it would be really really smart to hand out/send the earpiece that connects to the phone and enables you to talk, to every person that gets a new drivers license or renews. Those things can’t cost more than a buck and could probably save the judicial system a lot of time, casework and money even if they help just a few people avoid accidents. I’d also send them to drivers who get tickets for this.

Comment by shore Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:50 pm
And still pets are allowed to run free in cars. More distracting, talking on your phone in your hand or having your dog run on and off your lap?

Comment by OurMagician Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:55 pm
I think it’s time to implement a way to make it impossible to talk/text while driving.
It will change your mind once you get hit by a driver who is texting/talking…driving is like sex - no one is as good as they imagine.

Comment by Belle Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:56 pm
Next - The governor just signed legislation that bans drivers from talking to passengers. Some people can’t eat and drive, others can’t put their make-up on and drive and still others can’t…… How do you fix stupid? Does this apply to troopers/police who use radios, cell phone and computers while driving a 100 mph?

Comment by G.I. Joe Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 12:58 pm
I suppose its nanny state to license drivers too?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 1:33 pm
The State of Illinois should ban cell phone use outright, but this is a good first step.

If you take a look around Chicago, which has had a hand held ban for close to eight years, everyone ignores it.

If Chicago wants to make up revenue shortfall, they could do it pulling over every person who sits stopped at a green light, cutting over three lanes to make a turn, and using bikers and pedestrians as targets - all because they have a phone pressed to their ear. It happens every single day and, yes, it is a safety issue.

Comment by Sacajawea Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 1:41 pm
Generally talking on the phone while driving is not that big of a deal to me (although I love it when the car in front of me suddenly starts moving faster after the driver puts the phone down).

What about texting while driving? I regularly see young drivers steering with their knee while looking down at their phone texting with both hands. I have read articles that cite studies having shown that texting while driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving…

Comment by Slick Willy Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 1:45 pm
===What about texting while driving? ===

Already outlawed.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 1:48 pm
Having recently been on a long car trip where the driver was constantly “eye checking” the phone for messages, I am certain that the use of smart phones to check both email and text messages is a huge scary distraction and a danger whether the person is actively communicating back on the phone or not.

We had one of the earliest hard wired car phones in Illinois which was attached to the console. It rang, you answered if you were in a safe driving zone and you let it go to voice mail if you were in the spaghetti bowl or Hubbard’s cave. I never never felt distracted by it. Pretty much the same with “dumb” flip phones. But the technology and visuals of smart phones have changed the terrain enormously. Of course I doubt this law will be enforced and for sure those of us who have recently been inches of being rear-ended by a texter know that many people won’t obey the new law either. But at least now passengers in offending cars can cite the law and nicely ask the handheld talker/texter to cut it out because it’s illegal.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 1:58 pm
Probably makes sense but I was never more distracted than when taking kids in the car and bickering broke out. THOSE passengers are not the extra set of eyes a driver needs nor take advantage of.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 1:59 pm
=== As long as there’s a carve-out for hands-free, I’m against the law. I wonder why the hands-free carve-out was included anyway. Whose votes did it get? The luxury car set, and/or the legislators that depend on them for cash? ===

Please be serious.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 2:33 pm
===What about texting while driving? ===

Already outlawed.

Thanks Rich. I knew that. I should note that I do not text and I own the original cell phone…

Comment by Slick Willy Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 3:12 pm
Slick Willy,

This??????

http://www.retrobrick.com/moto8000.html

Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 3:25 pm
@Sacajawea, Agreed. This law is long overdue on paper, but let’s see if they enforce it.

I walk to and from work, and the amount of people who are glued to their phones is astounding. Hell, I’d just be happy if they enforced Stop Signs in my neighborhood. Set up a couple stings, and they’ve not only covered the overtime, but also make money off of the fines.

Get off your damn phone and drive. I guarantee your conversation isn’t that important.

Comment by ChrisB Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 4:12 pm
Why is it anyone talking on a cell phone, and most likely drinking coffee and or smoking are always in the left lane? And people are passing them up in the right lane and they are still oblivious to being a road hazard?

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 4:13 pm
Nanny state garbage. The government shouldn’t require you to watch the road.

It’s not like you need a government license and pass some test to drive.

Same with drinking and driving, and driving drunk. Some people handle it better than others. I don’t see why the nanny state gets to make that decision.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 5:13 pm
Good points wordslinger. You’ve all changed my mind on this one. Now that I have to put my phone down, I’ll have a free hand for my beer.

Comment by Jaded Monday, Aug 19, 13 @ 5:21 pm