Crime & Safety

Hundreds Cited for Using Cell Phones While Driving During North Shore Crackdown

Highland Park recently worked with Deerfield, Lake Forest and other nearby communities to enforce its hand-held cell phone use while driving restrictions.

The information below comes from the City of Highland Park.

The Highland Park Police Department joined forces with Deerfield, Lake Forest, Waukegan and Winnetka Police Departments to conduct on-going education and enforcement activities pertaining to their communities respective hand-held cell phone use while driving restrictions on Monday, June 3 through Friday, June 7, 2013. 

The aforementioned communities (in addition to Chicago and Evanston) each have similar local ordinances which restrict the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a vehicle. Exemptions apply for reporting police, fire or medical emergencies. The use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a vehicle greatly compromises public safety and increases the risk of a traffic crash. 

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In addition to enforcing their respective community’s hand-held cell phone use while driving restrictions, each of the aforementioned Police Departments increased their enforcement of the State law which restricts the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving in posted school speed zones or construction zones. 

During the June 3 through June 7, 2013 joint multi-jurisdictional education and enforcement initiative, participating police departments issued a total of: 

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152 citations for hand-held cell phone use while driving violations 

79 warnings for hand-held cell phone use while driving violations 

37 citations for State hand-held cell phone use while driving in a school zone violations 

81 citations for State hand-held cell phone use while driving in a construction zone 

During an April 1 through April 5, 2013 joint multi-jurisdictional education and enforcement initiative, participating police departments issued a total of: 

293 citations for hand-held cell phone use while driving violations 

219 warnings for hand-held cell phone use while driving violations 

20 citations for State hand-held cell phone use while driving in a school zone violations 

1 warning for State hand-held cell phone use while driving in a school zone violations 

2 citations for State texting and driving violations 

Currently, ten states have statewide restrictions in place which restrict hand-held cell phone use while driving. In addition, many states have statewide restrictions on hand-held cell phone use while driving by novice drivers. At this time, legislation is pending in the State of Illinois which, if signed by Governor Quinn, will establish a statewide restriction on the use of hand-held cell phone devices while driving and will become effective January 1, 2014. 

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 this statewide restriction. 

An additional joint jurisdictional enforcement and educational initiates will be occurring just prior to the commencement of the next school year in August. 


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