Officials in Naperville recently conducted an educational campaign designed to combat distracted driving in city school zones. The campaign enlisted volunteers to watch out for motorists who used handheld mobile phones in school zones and to distribute informational literature reminding drivers that the practice of talking with a handheld telephone while driving in a school zone is prohibited by state law. As part of the campaign, the City of Naperville also placed billboards reminding drivers to hang up their phones near specific area school zones. In addition, the Naperville Police Department reportedly stepped up enforcement of the state law immediately following the driver education effort.
Sergeant Lee Martin of the Naperville Police Department’s traffic unit stated the education and enforcement campaign was designed to keep school children from being hurt by inattentive motorists. Since January 1, 2010, all drivers in Illinois are prohibited from operating a handheld cellular telephone in a school or construction zone. Motorists under the age of 19 may not utilize a mobile phone on any Illinois roadway except in case of emergency. The fines for violating distracted driving laws in Illinois begin at $75 per infraction. Last year, a similar initiative reportedly had a significant impact on the number of motorists using handheld cell phones in Naperville school zones. According to Officer Martin, the program will likely continue next year.
The laws regarding talking on your mobile phone while driving vary widely throughout the Chicago Metro. Although the City of Chicago has completely banned the use of handheld telephones, other municipalities have adopted the less restrictive state law. Regardless of where you are traveling, mobile telephones generally pose an unnecessary distraction to drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 416,000 people throughout the United States were hurt in car accidents that resulted from distracted driving in 2010 alone. Sadly, more than 3,000 people died during the same year due to the actions of a distracted driver. The NHTSA also stated the risk of a motor vehicle crash is 23 times higher when a driver is sending or reading a text message.
If you or a loved one was hurt by a motorist who was distracted by a cell phone or other electronic device, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for your injury. Call the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. at (312) 475-9596 today to discuss your options for recovery. Our qualified Chicago Metro car accident lawyers are available to answer your questions and assist you with filing your personal injury claim. At Abels & Annes, P.C., our knowledgeable attorneys are here to help you receive the compensation you deserve based upon the severity of your injuries. To speak with an experienced personal injury attorney today, do not hesitate to contact Abels & Annes, P.C. through the law firm’s website.
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18 Injured in Chicago Heights PACE Bus Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 22, 2012
Additional Resources:
Naperville police target cell phone use in school zones, by Gary Gibula, Chicago Tribune