Illinois law bans texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving. The law rightly prohibits actions that cause visual, manual, or cognitive impairment to the driver. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and is now one of the nation’s leading causes of auto accidents. However, not all perceived violations of the distracted driving laws are illegal, nor are they all dangerous. If you have been cited for a distracted driving offense, or you were involved in an accident involving distracted driving, you might not actually be guilty of the charge.
The state of Illinois enacted two new restrictions on distracted driving in January 2013. These join the state’s already comprehensive ban on texting and these other laws:
Each of these violations is a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull over and ticket a driver based on the violation alone. With the exception of driving in a school or construction zone, drivers are permitted to speak on a phone that is equipped with a hands-free device.
The laws are designed to protect drivers and passengers from accidents caused by distracted drivers. The law does not, however, consider that some devices that might appear to be distracting a driver are not as problematic.
Both IPhone and Android phones come equipped with mapping and navigating applications. While it might appear to a highway patrol officer that the user is texting, the device is in fact assisting the driver in navigating to a destination.
Just as it is not illegal to change the radio station while driving, it is not illegal to change the song on your mp3 player or smartphone.
To reduce the chances you might drive dangerously, cause an accident or get a ticket for a distracted driving violation, set up your mobile devices for voice activation or connect them through your car’s speaker system. Many new cars now come equipped with audio and GPS controls on the steering wheel.
If you are not able to manage your music selection while continuing safe driving practices, put the phone down. If you have been cited unjustly for distracted driving, speak to a criminal defense attorney in the Cook County area.