Illinois Outlaws Texting While Driving

The federal government estimates that 30% of all vehicle accidents in the U.S. are caused by driver distraction. This includes not only talking on the phone, but texting as well. Text messaging, or texting, is a term referring to the exchange of brief written messages between mobile phones, over cellular networks. It is very common among teenagers.

The State of Illinois has taken appropriate action. The Associated Press reports that Illinois has outlawed texting while driving. Illinois motorists will be issued a ticket if they send a text message or read their messages while their car is moving.

The law will be controversial because it does not outlaw reading navigation systems, but does outlaw texting.

Drivers are allowed to check messages if they pull over to the side of the road or are at a standstill in traffic, for instance at a train crossing when their car is in park or neutral.

Governor Quinn signed the bill at a ceremony at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago with Secretary of State Jesse White.

The law firm of WWF&G regularly represents clients who are injured as a result of driver distraction. During a deposition in one case, it was confirmed that the Defendant driver of a vehicle was arguing with his wife on a cell phone, when he ran a stop sign at 70 mph. Not only did he cause severe and permanent injuries to the Plaintiff, but he was killed in the accident.

The law firm of WWF&G takes a hard stance against drivers who ignore the safety of others. Many drivers will deny the use of cell phones during an accident. However, we regularly subpoena cell phone records of Defendant drivers to confirm or deny if the defendant driver was talking or texting at the time of an accident. If you or your family have been injured as the result this type of accident, please contact our firm for a free consultation at 618-462-1077.