Illinois State Police Enforcement of Distracted Driving Laws

As April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Illinois State Police conducted a weeklong enforcement campaign directed at reducing incidents of distracted driving. Between April 24 and April 28, Illinois State Troopers issued more than 1,000 citations enforcing this campaign (1). The State Police have continuously been cracking down on texting and cell phone usage in Illinois. Punishment under the Illinois statute on electronic communication devices ranges from a fine of $75 for a first offense up to a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person (2). For a more detailed discussion of this statute, please refer to the author’s previous article on the subject (3).

In light of recent enforcement efforts, some friendly advice from your friendly neighborhood traffic lawyer: stay away from your cell phone while driving, keep a reasonable speed, give law enforcement officers and vehicles plenty of space for safety, and avoid drinking and driving. These simple changes of habit can help one avoid a costly citation and the hassle of a traffic stop.

For more information about this article or any other traffic or criminal law topic, please contact the author, attorney James R. Doerr of Lavelle Law, at (847) 705-7555 or jdoerr@lavellelaw.com.

1. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2017-05-08/ill...
2. 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2
3. https://www.lavellelaw.com/criminal/cell-phone-usage-while-driving-the-l...