As of July 2019, if you're texting, using your cellphone, or using another mobile device while operating a motor vehicle, you're violating Illinois laws. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that cellphone use while driving motor vehicles accounts for 1.6 million auto crashes per year. In 2018 alone, 2,841 motorists died in automobile accidents involving or caused directly by distracted driving.
Part of the problem is that thousands of drivers don't realize just how risky checking a text is while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that reading or sending a text message takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. When driving at 55 miles per hour, you can drive the length of a football field in that period of time.
At Dohman Law Group, our traffic lawyers in Rolling Meadows provide cost-effective and reliable legal representation to drivers in Lake County, DuPage County, Cook County, Kendall County, Kane County, and throughout Illinois. Under the state’s new distracted driving laws, using a cell phone is now a moving violation, which means it's more critical than ever to keep a traffic citation off of your driving record, especially if you're a commercial driver. For a free, no-obligation evaluation of your cell phone ticket, contact our law offices today at 847-359-4005.
Illinois's cellphone law bars underage motorists from using cell phones while driving. The only exception is for an emergency situation. Also, the cellphone law bars all drivers—regardless of their age—from using a cellphone while driving:
The cellphone law that applies to all drivers has a few exceptions. The law doesn't apply to:
This law bars all drivers from using electronic communication devices while driving. An electronic communication device includes tablets, cellphones, and laptops. So, in effect, the distracted driving law bans texting while driving and talking on a phone while operating a motor vehicle, in all locations. Also, the law bans the use of an electronic device to watch or stream videos while driving.
The electronic communication device law also has a few exceptions. The electronic communication device law doesn't apply to:
The potential criminal penalties for a cellphone ticket include:
A cellphone ticket violation will add 10 to 30 demerit points to a driver's driving record.
Learn More: How Long an Offense Will Stay on Your Traffic Record
It's possible for Chicago cell phone ticket attorneys to get your ticket dismissed, get a “not guilty” verdict at a court trial, or otherwise keep your driving record clean. For a no-fee, completely confidential consultation, contact our skilled Chicago Cell phone ticket attorneys today at 847-359-4005. Our cell phone accident attorneys have helped thousands of drivers facing cell phone violations beat their charges and we can help you, too.