Police to Crack Down on Cell Phone Use 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