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Illinois drivers caught using their cellphones will soon face harsher penalties that could ultimately lead to a license suspension.

Beginning July 1, drivers caught using an electronic device will no longer be issued just a warning ticket on their first offense. Instead, drivers will be issued a moving violation. Three moving violations in a year will result in a license suspension.

In addition to the moving violation, a person who violates the law will be fined a maximum of $75 on the first offense, $100 on the second offense, $125 on the third offense and $150 for all future offenses.

The ban is not limited to cellphones and includes any “electronic communication device.”

* The Question: When was the last time you violated this law? Make sure to explain your answer, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:44 pm

Comments

I do not touch my cell phone when driving. I have to look out for the crazies who do use their cell phone when driving.

Comment by L.A. Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:48 pm
Never. Seriously. I don’t own a car, so I don’t do a lot of driving. When I do, I put my phone in my purse in the back seat so I’m not even tempted.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:48 pm
I almost forgot to mention I was recently nudged by a car. It wasn’t serious at all, really, but yes, the driver was looking at his phone. He got an earful from me and a couple of other people who witnessed it.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:50 pm
I do this a few times when I drive out to the burbs but it’s a split second. I see morons going 50 MPH+, not even looking at the road.

My question, who is going to enforce it? You could clear the state debt if you actually enforced it.

Comment by Southfarmllama Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:50 pm
Thankfully I don’t drive as much as I used to, but I’ve made a few calls and looked at some texts while driving recently. Mea culpa.

It’s an epidemic in Chicago. Check out your fellow drivers at the next stop light, half will have their heads down or you’ll be able to see them looking at their screens. It’s bad.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:53 pm
Saturday. I use my phone’s Waze app regularly for navigation.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:54 pm
Do GPS devices count as a “electronic communication device.” I’m guilt of taking my eyes off the road changing the GPS settings more than using my cell phone.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:56 pm
I know this is going to be hugely unpopular, but I think even hands free use of phones/electronic devices should be outlawed. I’d be happy if phones only worked in cars when the car is in “Park.”

Comment by Lake County Mom Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 1:57 pm
Friday. I took the older car (2012, with no builtin GPS) to pick up one of the kids from camp and had no idea where we were. Had to use the phone for navigation instead.

It wasn’t a problem until the phone slipped out of the cup holder and changed screens at a critical time; I had to grab it and get back to the map app. Stopping wasn’t an option at that point.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:02 pm
I got a ticket on my first offence last year - I want my $160 back!

Comment by Fax Machine Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:02 pm
GPS use only

I think that is exempt but how would they know

Comment by Evanston Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:04 pm
There are many things I’m guilty of, but using my phone while driving is not among them. That thing gets turned off or switched to “I’m driving” mode.

Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:06 pm
A friend has installed an auto-reply on his device - stating “I’m driving, cannot respond now, will return your text when I’m no longer driving.” I frequently check to see how many drivers have a cell phone in their hands - its many. This includes CPD.

Comment by Ashland Adam Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:06 pm
I also use Waze constantly. A quick glance can cause me to change my route due to heavy traffic.

While stopped at a red light, and only when stopped at a red light, I’ve been known to check e-mail.

However, I nearly never make phone calls from the car. I view that as a serious safety issue.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:08 pm
I stopped answering the phone in the car two years ago. Don’t care if I can answer it hands free, if clients they demand specific answers about court dates I cannot supply from the phone, without accessing their files by holding it. Some will call 5x or more within an hour I am in the car, even though I tell them I no longer answer a phone in the car.

If a passenger, same rules apply. Will not discuss cases with a client while someone else is driving due to privacy issues.

They should expand the law to bike riders. One ran into me running a red light and she got the worst of the collision a few weeks ago. If she had missed me, she would have T-Boned a truck making a turn and that would have been really messy. While she was picking herself up, she continued talking on the phone. True story.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:10 pm
I occasionally answer the phone, even more occasionally call someone - just using my voice, telling Siri to call whomever. I don’t think I’ve ever do it in town or in traffic, and have never texted while driving, or read texts. The last time I violated it was probably 3 months ago when I thought I knew where I was going, and did not, and had to ask Siri for directions en route.

Comment by Perrid Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:10 pm
I have never violated this law. I wouldn’t dare be on my cell phone while driving. But I have seen many, many others breaking the law.

Comment by Christopher Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:12 pm
I never use the phone while driving.

Comment by downstateR Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:12 pm
Every time I am in a vehicle.

Though there are exemptions for GPS, my phone is also used as a media device and I will check and respond to text messages at traffic lights.

===Instead, drivers will be issued a moving violation.===

I also often drive above the speed limit on a regular basis. 20 over? No. But 5 to 10? Certainly.

Making use of a cell phone a moving violation isn’t going to change the habits of folks that are using their cellphone when driving on a regular basis.

Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:16 pm
I never do for texting and am infuriated by those who do. However, if an accident has backed up a major highway I may pull my phone out to find alternative routes

Comment by DEIDrab Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:16 pm
Today and everyday. I try to be responsible about it. I used it while stuck at a train. Next QOTD: when was the last time you had 3 or more drinks and drove? Like texting and driving, until you pinched hard, a LOT of people do it and aren’t stopping anytime soon.

Comment by New Slang Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:17 pm
Years ago I would make an occasional quick phone call, but never since I was almost in a head-on collision with a cellphone-using nitwit who blew through a stop sign and crossed the center lane to avoid the car with the driver who had the right-of-way. Thankfully, we were all able to stop in time. She continued her phone conversation as we maneuvered our ways around her stopped car.

The invention of the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” function is right up there with sliced bread and cold beer in terms of great inventions.

Comment by Bourbon Street Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:17 pm
Ummm… like an hour ago.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:17 pm
Car has bluetooth audio for the rare times I answer a call.

I broke my bad habit of answering texts/DMs while parked at red lights years ago (too much temptation to look during stop & go traffic).

I use Waze quite a bit but set up the routes when parked.

Comment by ChicagoVinny Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:19 pm
Not so much anymore….but still sin on occasion.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:20 pm
In the new car with hands free, never.

In the classic car, probably in the last week when I picked up the ringing phone out of the console and handed it to Mrs RNUG to answer.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:24 pm
*line* not lane

Comment by Bourbon Street Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:26 pm
I won’t touch the phone while the car is in motion, but I realize use at a stoplight is a violation.
I used to stand at the Irving Park Blue Line station and count how many cars passing on the Kennedy were driven by people texting and/or holding their phone while I waited for the train. On any given day it was typically 60-70%.

Comment by Father Ted Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:27 pm
Never, not even before there was a law. My phone is put away and silenced while I’m driving.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:29 pm
Am I correct in assuming there is a caveat for using the speaker instead of the handset and also bluetooth through your car radio?

Comment by Stones Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:30 pm
I Never, ever text. I set the GPS before I start driving. I will use the speaker phone, but only when traffic is low.

Comment by Groucho Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:30 pm
I ignore my phone while driving. I pull off when I need to text. My question is can you use your phone to report someone driving erratically because they are on their phone?

Comment by A Jack Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:32 pm
Every day of my life.

Comment by Iggy Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:32 pm
== They should expand the law to bike riders. ==

Unless they were specifically exempted, bicycle riders are supposed to follow all the Rules if the Road. They don’t, but they are supposed to. One difference f my pet peeves is bicyclists in a cross street blowing a stop sign in front of me, causing me to lock up the brakes

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:32 pm
Seldom. With the caveat that the law, “does not include a global positioning system or navigation system or a device that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.”

Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:33 pm
== Next QOTD: when was the last time you had 3 or more drinks and drove? ==

Probably 35 - 40 years ago … in a very small town and 6 blocks to home.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:34 pm
Is there a 5th amendment option to this question?

Seriously, though, I generally only do it at red lights and only briefly so I’m not a big offender. It’s the people who I see holding the phone in front of their faces as they’re driving that make me crazy. I recently called a company about one of their drivers who was doing just that at 50mph on Lake Shore Drive. Much to my surprise, the company was very interested and very responsive.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:38 pm
I try not to use my phone while driving unless it is on speaker. I would also hope, however, that this extends to the Uber and Lyft drivers who spend the majority of their time staring at or playing on their phones mounted in the center of their windshields.

Comment by City Driver Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:46 pm
had to text a friend who got a bit of information for work horribly wrong. stopped at a red light, I texted back.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:46 pm
I use my phone for GPS, but set it before I start driving. Will check a text when at a long red light. I answer my phone via bluetooth/speakers only.

I like that my phone goes into driving mode when I am in motion so there are no text alerts. Of course, its a little annoying when I am on the L and realize I’ve missed a bunch of texts because my iPhone thinks I am driving the train.

Comment by Montrose Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:51 pm
I use it for navigation. Both with the directional maps and recently I visited friends who moved. I called them six turns and 3 miles from their house and they talked me through. I have power steering and automatic transmission so I don’t really see what the big deal is. I just held the phone with my left hand and yes I used my turn signal for each turn.

Comment by Al Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 2:59 pm
This morning–every morning on commute—I know its wrong……..is it still ok to eat and drive? do your make up and drive?

Comment by MaHen4 Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:01 pm
There are all sorts of minor distractions we engage in while driving, but eating does not take up the mental bandwidth the way talking on the phone does.

And people know that. Ask them which they’d prefer; driving on a road full of teenagers talking on their phones, or driving on a road full of teenagers eating french fries.

Comment by Lake County Mom Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:08 pm
I often check my phone at red lights; however, I put the phone down before I put the car back in motion. If something requires a detailed answer, I usually either wait or pull off the road and put it in park to respond.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:16 pm
==I know this is going to be hugely unpopular, but I think even hands free use of phones/electronic devices should be outlawed.==

Lake County Mom, I totally agree. I’ve tried hands-free devices before and what I’ve noticed is that even though my hands were free I still felt like the call was taking much more concentration than if the person were in the same car. I can’t explain the difference, but it was definitely different, at least for me.

Comment by Occasional Quipper Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:21 pm
Meh. I can’t remember specifically when but most of the time the phone is the cup holder.

Comment by Glengarry Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:22 pm
Right now, reading this article on the interstate.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:23 pm
This morning on my way to work.

Comment by Dave W Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:28 pm
Checked twitter about a week ago at a stop-light.

Use my phone much more to listen to Spotify or Podcasts or use Waze than to make calls and I can do all of that using a screen in my dashboard so it doesn’t count under the law.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:31 pm
As a motorcyclist who frequently stands behind a handful of cars at red lights, it’s semi entertaining to rev the engine while still at a red light and watch the cars in front of me inch forward and stop. Typically people who “only read while at a red light” have no situational awareness. They start rolling and only then look up. Man oh man.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:38 pm
What about using Waze or other GPS maps on your phone? Often times you have to change a route or look at something. Now you can get fined for that too?

Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:40 pm
If I’m in motion, and the Mrs. is with me, I’ll reach into my shirt pocket and hand it to her without taking my eyes off the road.

If I’m alone, it stays in my pocket until I can safely stop somewhere. I don’t have hands-free.

I never text, unless I’m parked or curbed.

If I’m using maps app or GPS, I’ll set it up before I go, otherwise, the Mrs. navigates.

The last time I was on the phone (holding it) while driving has to have been several years ago, but even then I would wait until traffic was light and the road was straight with excellent visibility. One specific recollection I have was calling 911 to report an immediate road hazard on a busy freeway while traveling in another state.

Even when I’m just having a conversation with a passenger, I’ll subconsciously stop in mid sentence when some situations arise, like a busy merge, that demands more of my attention. My wife finds this amusing at times, but understands why it happens. At worst, I’ll forget a turn.

Comment by Hieronymus Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:43 pm
Will this apply to LEOs and their use of computers and other electronic communications devices they use while driving as well? I mean safety is what this is about right, not taxation through citation?

Comment by Downstate United Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:46 pm
Got a ticket a month ago for being on the phone. A big logistical maneuver was going on at home and the spouse called while I was driving. Picked it up without even thinking about it. BAM the cop was right there. My fault, my bad.
I now always have my hands free headset on .

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:46 pm
With my old Toyota I would sometimes go on speakerphone and put the phone between my legs with both hands on the wheel. Not totally safe. I never texted or read text. My new Audi has all the hands-off bells and whistles, and I use GPS quite a bit.

Comment by Old Illini Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:49 pm
- Downstate United - Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:46 pm:

Will this apply to LEOs and their use of computers and other electronic communications devices they use while driving as well? I mean safety is what this is about right, not taxation through citation?

A really good question. Any answers out there?

Comment by Nonbeliever Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 3:52 pm
I turn my cell phone off the minute I get in the car.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 4:17 pm
When I took a picture of Tom Cross’ car, while in park, at a streetlight, and later texted the picture to Rich.

Boy, I learned a lesson all right alright, lol

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 4:26 pm
I don’t drive as many miles as I used to, but whenever I do, I see someone violating this law, and driving dangerously in the process. That’s enough to keep me off mine. It’s been years.

Comment by SSL Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 5:02 pm
Rarely, but very carefully. If anything more than a few words, pulling over is in order for me.

If car radios came out today, they might be banned. That’s not to discount the serious problem of inattentive driving with texting and phone involvement. It’s very much a problem.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 5:07 pm
GPS and media, both integrated. Never text. Always hands free with the phone but generally do not answer or place calls in the city or the burbs. However, on I-55 to Springfield, it’s almost impossible to make it without at least one call.

True story - the last time I texted while driving, I got in a very, very minor fender bender. Haven’t even thought about doing it since, and that was a decade ago.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 5:37 pm
Yet it’s ok for the authorities to check any electronic device while driving… sounds kind of one sided to me.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 5:39 pm
There were alaways laws against distracted driving just called something else, this is just an exension of the Nanny state …calling it out and defining penalties which has been going on for years. Wondering if they will ticket ga members to and from springpatch.

Comment by NothsideNoMore Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 7:44 pm
I mount my cell to my dashboard for the GPS; sometimes I peek at my notifications when at a red light. (But only red lights close to home that I stop at often and I know are nice, long red lights.) I don’t usually open anything but I’ll pull down the notification bar to see what’s come in while I was driving.

Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Jun 24, 19 @ 9:27 pm
While reading this post.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 25, 19 @ 6:41 pm

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