Police to Crack Down on Cell Phone Use while Driving
Area police departments including Lake Forest, Deerfield and Highland Park will increase enforcement of local ordinances restricting the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
The police departments of Lake Forest, Deerfield, Highland Park, Waukegan and Winnetka will join forces Monday, April 1, to conduct on-going education and enforcement pertaining to the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
Exemptions apply for reporting police, fire or medical emergencies.
In addition to enforcing their community’s ordinance restricting the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, area police officers will actively increase enforcement of the state law, which restricts the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving in a posted school speed zone or construction zone. Violations for the state restriction carry an enhanced fine.
Currently, 10 states have a statewide restriction in place on all hand-held cell phone use while driving. In addition, many states have a statewide restriction on hand-held cell phone use while driving by novice drivers.
At this time, legislation is pending in Illinois to establish a statewide hand-held cell phone use while driving restriction. In the interest of promoting traffic safety, citizens are strongly encouraged to contact their state representative or legislator and communicate their interest in supporting the implementation of a statewide hand-held cell phone use while driving restriction.
Additional joint jurisdictional enforcement and educational initiates will be occurring just prior to the end of the current school year in June and upon commencement of the next school year in August.
Submitted by the Lake Forest Police Department
Molly
6:28 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I was a spectator at traffic court a month ago and heard the judge dismissing a cell phone usage ticket. It won't do any good for the police to write tickets if a judge cancels out the ticket.
Bob
7:32 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
It will be interseting to see it enforced. I drive through Highland Park daily and can count at least 7-10 people on there cell phone. Most cars now have a bluetooth connection so I just don't understand why these people don't use it. Besides that who are these people talking too?
Dr Parker
12:40 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
There mothers or daughters.
PhonePolice
8:42 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I see the HP cops on there cell phones everyday. Should I pull them over? This is a joke. If you're not a dick when the cop pulls you over, you'll be fine, unless the cop is a jerk. It's all about your attitude. Ps. I will not stop using my phone while driving.. It's 2013- maybe if this law was enforced/enacted with my first car phone in 1991, things would be different.
Stu Pidasso
12:34 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Yes, I also see the cops in HP on the phone while driving quite often! It seems to me that many of these younger guys out of the academy are dicks about giving a ticket, when in fact they do not take into account the circumstances ( as in speeding) 12 over, no questions as to why, but hear do you want to use your license as bond? Come on get real!! If that is what their life has been reduced to, I feel sorry for them.
Dr Parker
12:39 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
They will have a field day in Highland Park..the women drive out of there garage talking on the cell phones....no education required, just ticket them...after the first ticket, driving previleges are revoked for one month.
MS
2:23 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Women in SUV's with sunglasses on (regardless of weather) you've been warned.
Mary T.
4:24 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
The whole issue of cell-phone usage is a modern day concern. You can't wait at the carwash, you can't walk at the track, you can't attend a school event where the focus should be on the children, without your fellow citizens thrusting their conversations on you. They are becoming an intrusive blight by disrupting events and environments.
Benny G.
6:21 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Rude cell phone users should be flogged in the town square.
Dr Parker
6:29 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Good one...I could just see them flogging a Jewish princess next to Walker Brothers.
PhonePolice
8:15 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Keep the Jews out of it, because most of us are. Talking on the phone is illegal, but going to the Taco Bell drive thru and getting a nachos bellegrande to put on your lap and drive is legal. Makes zero sense.
Dr Parker
8:59 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
We are talking about HP, are we not....so who do you think is on most of the cell phones, the princesses of course.