Distracted Driving and Illinois Cell Phone Laws

When is the last time that you drove home without remembering how you got there? Driving on "autopilot" is a dangerous game. When you are not concentrating on what is going on around you, you are much more likely to be involved in an accident. In fact, distracted driving is one of the most common causes of serious and fatal car accidents.

Reasons for Distracted Driving

Drivers can be distracted when participating in activities other than driving while on the road. Common examples of distracted driving including: 

• Ÿ Using a handheld cell phone while driving, which is illegal in Chicago;
• Ÿ Using a hands-free cell phone;
• Ÿ Sending, reading or writing text messages, which is illegal in Illinois;
• Ÿ Eating while driving;
• Ÿ Reading maps or newspapers while driving;
• Ÿ Talking to passengers while driving;
• Ÿ Squabbling children; and
• Ÿ Applying makeup or shaving while driving. 

Types of Driver Distractions 

According to the United States Department of Transportation, there are 3 different types of distractions that drivers experience:  

• Ÿ Visual
• Ÿ Manual
• Ÿ Cognitive  

Visual distractions are distractions that cause you to stop looking at the road, such as turning around to talk to children who are arguing in the back seat. Manual distractions are those that require you to stop holding onto the steering wheel, like grabbing for a folder that has fallen to the floor. Cognitive distractions are distractions that require you to think about matters other than driving, such as the speech that you will be making in a few hours.

Illinois Cell Phone Laws & Texting

Sending, reading or writing text messages while driving is illegal in Illinois. The reason that text messaging can be more dangerous than other types of distractions is that a driver who is texting is distracted visually, manually and cognitively at the same time. Drivers should never send or read text messages while driving.

For more information on Illinois Cell Phone Laws, please visit our library. 

When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been in a car accident in Illinois that is a result of violations of Illinois cell phone laws or other types of distracted driving, it's important to consult with a qualified Chicago personal injury lawyer who can explain your legal options. 

The Chicago personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have years of experience representing victims of car accidents in the Chicago area. Contact us today for a FREE case evaluation - 312-263-1080