IL - Quinn signs texting ban bill

[StlouisX50]

Quinn signs texting ban bill

Thursday, August 06, 2009 | 5:27 PM

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By Theresa Gutierrez
August 6, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Texting while driving will soon be against the law in Illinois.
Governor Quinn signed a bill on Thursday that bans drivers from texting or downloading ring tones when they're behind the wheel.
The law takes effect New Year's Day.
At Northeastern University on Thursday Gov. Quinn signed the bill that bans motorists from sending text messages while driving in Illinois.
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Additionally, the governor signed legislation that makes it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving through a highway construction zone or school speed zone.
The governor was joined on Thursday by Chuck and Gloria Wilhelm of Bourbannais, the parents of 25-year-old Matt Wilhelm who was killed by a distracted driver in September of 2006 while riding his bike in Urbana. The driver admitted she was downloading ringtones when her car hit Wilhelm.
For the past two and half years the Wilhelms have been pushing for tougher penalties.
"This isn't about Matt. It's too late for Matt. But it's not too late for you or a member of your family. But it could be if people don't put down the cell phones, stop talking, stop texting and if people do not enforce what is being signed into law today, " said Gloria Wilhelm.
The penalty for texting while driving or using a cell phone on a highway construction zone or school speed zone will now show as a moving violation that will go on the motorist's driving record.
The bill was sponsored by a number of legislators who pushed for it.
"If you drive and text, you're in violation of the law. You can get a fine a $75 fine up to $150," said Secretary of State Jesse White.
"It really is a danger and a distraction to drive and text. Bottom line is it's not yourself so much that you are worried about, it's other people who are taking their lives into your hands," said Rep. John D'Amico, (D) 15th District.
. "We've done our part, now we're asking you and the law enforcement officers to please do their part," said Wilhelm.
(Copyright ©2009 WLS-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

[SpeedinLancer]

FINALLY!!!! This is the first time in a long time that I've seen legislation that was GOOD and that I agreed with.

I was doing 80/55 and this lady was keeping up with me on my right.... I look over... she was f***ing texting! I was furious...

[StlouisX50]

FINALLY!!!! This is the first time in a long time that I've seen legislation that was GOOD and that I agreed with.

I was doing 80/55 and this lady was keeping up with me on my right.... I look over... she was f***ing texting! I was furious...

Bad, I have traps to report!

I will still use my phone as much as I damn well please over in IL too! There are enough other distractions that are in a car that they wont touch, so screw them!

[SpeedinLancer]

Dude, call them in like I do. Hands-free bluetooth... granted its the conversation that distracts you not the phone but its still much safer.

How can you not agree with this? Texting while driving is so dangerous... I set my phone up to auto-reply to text messages while im driving to just say "I'm driving right now, call me if its important or else I will text you later."

Works like a charm..

[StlouisX50]

Dude, call them in like I do. Hands-free bluetooth... granted its the conversation that distracts you not the phone but its still much safer.

How can you not agree with this? Texting while driving is so dangerous... I set my phone up to auto-reply to text messages while im driving to just say "I'm driving right now, call me if its important or else I will text you later."

Works like a charm..

Cause i don't know where my bluetooth piece is and im tired of looking for it.

Plus, I have done it for years accident free. Just like speeding.

[jrock23]

i agree that bill is stuipd and i will talk and drive and text as much as i want. no law will stop me from doing that.

[JDS]

I'm completely in favor of this, talking on the phone is bad enough, but having your hands off the wheel AND your eyes off the road is just a recipe for disaster.

[lugnuts]

more BS feel good crap....

how are they going to enforce this? how?

how are they going to distinguish the difference between someone texting and dialing a # on their phone?

since just about every damn highway in IL is under construction this basically means we can't use our phones lol



and if he can sign this stupid law why hasen't he signed the tint law that legislatures passed weeks ago?????

[StlouisX50]

more BS feel good crap....

how are they going to enforce this? how?

how are they going to distinguish the difference between someone texting and dialing a # on their phone?

since just about every damn highway in IL is under construction this basically means we can't use our phones lol



and if he can sign this stupid law why hasen't he signed the tint law that legislatures passed weeks ago?????

Exactly.

[JDS]

I think a hell of a lot more crashes are caused by people texting than by tinted glass.