How did we ever live without cell phones? Some of you may recall a more primitive time when, to call home, a person would have to pull their car over and use a pay phone. Now, everybody seems to have a cell phone. Driving while using your cell phone is dangerous. Yet, lawmakers can’t expect you not to use your cell phone at all, can they? Below, is what you need to know about Illinois cell phone law.
How did we ever live without cell phones? Some of you may recall a more primitive time when, to call home, a person would have to pull their car over and use a pay phone. Now, everybody seems to have a cell phone. Driving while using your cell phone is dangerous. Yet, lawmakers can’t expect you not to use your cell phone at all, can they? Below, is what you need to know about Illinois cell phone law.
1. What does Illinois cell phone law say?
1. What does Illinois cell phone law say?
You are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle on the road while using an electronic communication device. “Electronic communication devices” include, cell phones, mobile computers, and hand-held digital assistants. A GPS that is integrated into your car is okay.
Under Illinois cell phone law, you cannot hold an electronic communication device in your hand while driving. It does not matter if you are actually using the device or not.
You are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle on the road while using an electronic communication device. “Electronic communication devices” include, cell phones, mobile computers, and hand-held digital assistants. A GPS that is integrated into your car is okay.
Under Illinois cell phone law, you cannot hold an electronic communication device in your hand while driving. It does not matter if you are actually using the device or not.
2. Exceptions
2. Exceptions
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Illinois cell phone law allows certain people to use electronic communication devices, even while driving. These include police officers on duty, anyone reporting an emergency situation, and a person using a device in hands-free or voice-operated mode. For the full list of exceptions, CLICK HERE.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Illinois cell phone law allows certain people to use electronic communication devices, even while driving. These include police officers on duty, anyone reporting an emergency situation, and a person using a device in hands-free or voice-operated mode. For the full list of exceptions, CLICK HERE.
3. Penalties
3. Penalties
Receiving a citation for driving while using an electronic communication device is a petty traffic offense under Illinois cell phone law. A first offense is not a moving violation. This means that even if you received a conviction and you paid your fine, it does not have a negative effect on your driving privileges. However, a subsequent offense is a moving violation. Too many of those can result in your driver’s license being suspended.
If you are using an electronic communication device and you are the cause of an accident where somebody else is badly injured, you are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. However, if somebody else dies, you are guilty of a Class 4 felony.
Take my word for it, responding to a text can wait until you stop your car. Drive safely.
Receiving a citation for driving while using an electronic communication device is a petty traffic offense under Illinois cell phone law. A first offense is not a moving violation. This means that even if you received a conviction and you paid your fine, it does not have a negative effect on your driving privileges. However, a subsequent offense is a moving violation. Too many of those can result in your driver’s license being suspended.
If you are using an electronic communication device and you are the cause of an accident where somebody else is badly injured, you are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. However, if somebody else dies, you are guilty of a Class 4 felony.
Take my word for it, responding to a text can wait until you stop your car. Drive safely.