Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, cell phone use while driving was a main cause of at least 1,357 motor vehicle accidents in the state in 2007 resulting in 351 injuries and eight deaths. Other behaviors exhibited by distracted drivers that can result in injury accidents include:

• Putting on make-up
• Knotting a necktie
• Reading a book

Now, Illinois officials and safety advocates are targeting drivers that neglect to focus when they are on the road. A new proposed offense of negligent vehicular homicide could lead to a $25,000 maximum fine, up to three years in prison, and a one-year driver’s license revocation if someone were convicted. Another proposal seeks to make text-messaging while driving Illegal in Illinois not just for drivers 18 years of age and under but also for adults.

Other new offenses proposed include:

• Negligent vehicular operation
• Aggravated negligent vehicular operation

Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division Director Michael Stout says that stiffer penalties are necessary for when a seemingly inconsequential act by a distracted driver leads to serious injuries or deaths.

About 10% of all Illinois drivers use cell phones at any given moment while on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says reaching for an item while driving increases chances of a motor vehicle crash by nine times and that driver distraction is a main cause of 80% of motor vehicle accidents.

State officials, safety groups want to increase penalties for distracted driving, Chicago Tribune.com, August 7, 2008

Driving while distracted, Chicago Tribune.com, August 12, 2008

Related Web Resources

2008 Rules of the Road, CyberDriveIllinois.com
Proposed Illinois Bill Would Ban Street-Crossers from Text-Messaging, ABA Journal, July 28, 2008