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Illinois Cell Phone Laws & Texting Laws (Part A)

Electronic devices such as cell phones make "staying in touch" easy and convenient. There is, however, a downside to this convenience. Electronic devices can lead to distracted driving, which is a major cause of vehicle accidents. If you are driving in Illinois, it is essential that you understand Illinois cell phone laws.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident that involved talking or texting on cell phones, contact an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney to find out what your legal options are.

Illinois Cell Phone & Driving Laws

If you are driving in Illinois, you should be aware that:

• Anyone under the age of 19, regardless of whether the person only has a permit to drive or a full driver's license, may not drive while talking on a cell phone.
• Cell phone use is prohibited while driving in a school zone.

Illinois is one of the states that allow cities or municipalities to regulate a limited number of traffic laws, including Illinois cell phone laws. In Chicago, it is illegal to drive and talk on a cell phone unless you are using a hands-free device.

There are exceptions to the Illinois cell phone laws so that drivers can respond to emergency situations. A driver may use a cell phone to deal with an emergency situation when:

• Ÿ Contacting the police;
• Ÿ Contacting the fire department;
• Ÿ Contacting a health car provider; or
• Ÿ Contacting other emergency services entity.

Additionally, a person who is engaged in a highway construction or maintenance project within a construction speed zone, law enforcement agents, and emergency personnel may use cell phones for work-related purposes while driving.

Regardless of the law, your best bet for your own safety, the safety of others in your vehicle, and the safety of other drivers is to pull over to the side of the road and stop before talking on your cell phone or to let a passenger do all of the talking for you.

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