IL - Chicago Bans Driving & Texting

[StlouisX50]

Chicago Bans Driving & Texting
Posted: Oct 9, 2008 09:47 PM
Texting & Driving

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By Inggrid Yonata
ROCKFORD - Next time you drive in Chicago you may want to think twice before text messaging behind the wheel.
The Windy City is the latest to ban texting while driving. They say keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. But that's no longer the case for many drivers. Philip Smith, 21, says he text messages in the car. "More in the car than elsewhere. 'Cause that's the only thing you can do in the car." Emily Wilkinson says, "I just don't think about it, it's second nature."
This trend of texting on the move got Chicago to place a ban on mobile texters. Rockford Alderman Jeff Holt says, "I'm not surprised, with internet music with texting, people get distracted."
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show nearly 80 percent of the nation's car crashes are triggered by distracted driving.
Rockford doesn't have a law against texting on the road, but Alderman Holt says the city needs to keep a close eye on this trend. "If we find that people are texting instead of paying attention to driving, then the city council may need to take a look at passing a similar type of ordinance"
For texters who end up in an accident, Rockford police have a message. "They'll get a moving violation on their drivers license, have points taken away from the license, pay a heavy monetary fine and reimbursing the other driver for all the damages," says Lt. Dane Person.
Chicago is the biggest U.S. city to pass a ban and joins 10 states with similar restrictions.

[StlouisX50]

Points as well? Thats BS!

[lugnuts]

Points as well? Thats BS!

thats only if they are in an accident because of it. and thats not Chicago but rockford that mentioned the points. I am guessing he would cite for reckless driving.

[REBinc]

Well, its illegal to be on a cell phone without a hand free set in Chicago, so texting is hands on a cell phone, make sense they would make it illegal.

[StlouisX50]

OK so you can't text while on a cell phone, but it's ok for officers to type on their MDT's. Yeah I see the difference here.

[lugnuts]

OK so you can't text while on a cell phone, but it's ok for officers to type on their MDT's. Yeah I see the difference here.

good point but I am sure they will counter with they are better drivers because of more training. to that I would counter, then train the general public better!

I hate the fact that they keep putting band aids on the problem and not address the real issue. Americans are poorly trained at driving. with better training we wouldn't need all theses silly laws.

[REBinc]

Well, this all reminds me of a story, when one of my friends pointed that out to police officer.

Back in the day, when I was sporting the parents Toyota Highlander, I was driving back to my house with a friend, all cool, sunroof down, windows down, when we pull up to police officer on the phone at a red light. My friend in the passenger seat, promptly yells at him to "get off the phone, focus on driving". The police officer proceeds to follow us for the next 15 minutes, I just drive the speed limit through random sub divisions, eventually he tails off. So we go back to my house, and he shows up about 10 minutes later after calling in my plates. He then told my parents we were swearing at him, great times.

That is all.