A joint effort of police departments in Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Waukegan and Winnteka to enforce a ban against drivers operating hand-held cell phones netted more than 300 citations from April 1-5, reported the Deerfield Police Department.
These communities, along with Chicago and Evanston, each have similar local ordinances which restrict the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a vehicle. Exemptions apply for reporting police, fire or medical emergencies. Police warn that the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a vehicle greatly compromises public safety and increases the risk of a traffic crash.
In addition to enforcing hand-held cell phone use while driving restrictions, these police departments also increased enforcement of the state law which restricts the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving in posted school speed zones or construction zones.
During the enforcement initiative earlier this month, participating police departments issued the following citations and warnings:
- 293 citations for hand-held cell phone use while driving violations.
- 219 warnings for hand-held cell phone use while driving violations.
- 20 citations for state hand-held cell phone use while driving in a school zone violations.
- 1 warning for state hand-held cell phone use while driving in a school zone violations.
- 2 citations for state texting and driving violations.
Currently, 10 states have statewide restrictions in place which restrict hand-held cell phone use while driving. In addition, many states have statewide restrictions on hand-held cell phone use while driving by novice drivers.
At this time, legislation is pending in the state of Illinois which, if passed, will establish a statewide restriction on the use of hand-held cell phone devices while driving. In the interest of promoting traffic safety, citizens are strongly encouraged to contact their state representative or legislator and communicate their interest in supporting the implementation of this statewide restriction.
Additional joint jurisdictional enforcement and educational initiates will be occurring just prior to the end of the current school year in June and upon commencement of the next school year in August.