Texting While Behind the Wheel
New Illinois Law Prohibits Texting while Driving
Lynley Louzensky
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: News
Texting while driving has become one of the biggest explanations to why people pay less attention to the road.
Think about it; how many times have you been driving and someone either pulls in front of you or has no idea what they're doing behind the wheel, because they are on the phone? Sure, talking on the phone and texting are two separate things, but all in all it is a means for the driver to be sidetracked.
Stated in an article on MSNBC, cell phone users who are driving have decreased reaction times on the road. Many teens and adults do not recognize the awareness behind using a phone while driving. According to the New York Times, drivers using cell phones cause 2,600 traffic deaths each year. My first car accident occurred when I was on the phone and now that texting has become the new fad, I am worried this may impact another collision.
That will no longer pose a problem since Illinois passed a new law, stating it is illegal to text while driving. Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois's Secretary of State, Jesse White, signed the new bill on August 6, 2009. For all who are unaware the law went into effect at the first of the New Year.
Those who are caught texting while driving will be pulled over, issued a ticket, and must pay the seventy-five dollar fine. Although texting while driving is illegal, even at a red light, drivers will still be able to read their directions on their navigational systems.
With the new law in place, next time you decide to read that text message while driving, it may be wise to think twice before opening your cell phone.
Think about it; how many times have you been driving and someone either pulls in front of you or has no idea what they're doing behind the wheel, because they are on the phone? Sure, talking on the phone and texting are two separate things, but all in all it is a means for the driver to be sidetracked.
Stated in an article on MSNBC, cell phone users who are driving have decreased reaction times on the road. Many teens and adults do not recognize the awareness behind using a phone while driving. According to the New York Times, drivers using cell phones cause 2,600 traffic deaths each year. My first car accident occurred when I was on the phone and now that texting has become the new fad, I am worried this may impact another collision.
That will no longer pose a problem since Illinois passed a new law, stating it is illegal to text while driving. Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois's Secretary of State, Jesse White, signed the new bill on August 6, 2009. For all who are unaware the law went into effect at the first of the New Year.
Those who are caught texting while driving will be pulled over, issued a ticket, and must pay the seventy-five dollar fine. Although texting while driving is illegal, even at a red light, drivers will still be able to read their directions on their navigational systems.
With the new law in place, next time you decide to read that text message while driving, it may be wise to think twice before opening your cell phone.