Texting Ban, Other Traffic Laws Drop Friday

Illinois drivers will have to get used to some new rules come Friday.

A statewide texting ban goes into effect as of January 1, meaning it’s illegal to even look at a text while driving through the state.

Chicago has had a texting ban in place since October 2008.

State Rep. John D'Amico (D-15th), chief sponsor of the texting while driving ban, put into perspective the equivalent of texting for five seconds while driving 60 MPH on the interstate.

"Imagine if you drove the length of a football field with your eyes closed," D'Amico said.

The new law also makes it illegal to talk on a hand-held phone while driving through a construction zone or school zone.

According to the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis, cell phone use contributes to 6 percent of all crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, and 2600 deaths each year.

Insurance rules get stricter after the holiday, too.

Anyone without insurance who gets into an accident that causes bodily harm will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.

Check with cyberdriveillinois.com for a complete listing of laws in effect for 2010.
 

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