Illinois passes mobile phone use law!

[da prez]

  As of January 1st it is illegal to use a phone or mobile device while driving. 
It must be hands free. The first fine is $75.00 and goes up from there.  I hope the law is enforced to stop the distracted drivers. I will get a hands free device for my phone also. I , personally am for the enforcement of it. I know of a leo who calls it " driving  while intexticated". This should make it easier for him. YES , he rides a bike!

                         da prez

[Patrick]

Many states have these laws, I think mine was one of the first. It doesn't make any difference, almost everyone still has a phone stuck in their ear. The distracted driving accidents are still very high, if not increasing.

[Gavin_Sons]

That will be like the seatbelt law here in indiana, will be enforced big time the first year then just peter out. I still dont wear my seatbelt. Have only been pulled over once and the cop said I better have a good excuse for not wearing it. I said I dont have to wear a helmet while riding my motorcycle so who are you to say I have to wear my seatbelt while driving my truck, just dosent make sense to me. He said good enough and let me go.

[John Schmidt]

That's great. Florida recently enacted a law prohibiting texting while driving but doesn't seem to be enforced much judging by my observation. For example, I was following this woman for 3-4 miles through town and we hit nearly every light. When it changed, I had to honk at her to get her butt moving every time. I've watched others in cars around me at a light, many texting while sitting there and continue when the light changes. Chatting with LEO's locally, they often feel there are more important issues to watch for....I disagree. I have an old flip phone so texting is out of the question, but phone calls aren't....so I don't answer it if it rings. I always check to see if it's my wife due to her health issues, if not I just put it back down and call them back. If I'm on the interstate or t'pike, and if I feel like talking to anyone in the first place, I "might" turn on the bluetooth. Doesn't happen often.

Gavin, I'm always interested in why someone doesn't wear a helmet while riding. I've seen so many accidents with fatalities due to rather minor head injuries that having a helmet would have saved them. As I've said many times in the past and often to a couple sons-in-law; a wheelchair for the rest of your life is much more confining than a helmet. Just food for thought.

[Hoser]

I use the onstar phone a lot, it is hands free.  Hoser

[Gavin_Sons]

I use to always wear my helmet then one day decided not to wear it, I felt naked without my full face on but at the same time could hear my tunes and what was going on around me 10 times better. I think if I bought a nice half helmet I would wear that, just not crazy about a full face unless it is cold.

[Alien]

This is the helmet that I was wearing when I went down on the freeway last June.  I was able to ride home and continue my life.  As hardheaded as my wife says I am, I doubt I would have survived without a good helmet.  Food for thought.

[Master Blaster]

That will be like the seatbelt law here in indiana, will be enforced big time the first year then just peter out. I still dont wear my seatbelt. Have only been pulled over once and the cop said I better have a good excuse for not wearing it. I said I dont have to wear a helmet while riding my motorcycle so who are you to say I have to wear my seatbelt while driving my truck, just dosent make sense to me. He said good enough and let me go.

Louisiana has had the click it or ticket law for a few years, and seems like every week there are several fatal wrecks that either the driver, passenger, or both were ejected from the vehicle and were killed.   Usually  vehicle rolls and his a tree.  Just makes sense to me to buckle up for safety, even if you are the perfect driver don't bet that one you are meeting in the curve is.

[cookiedough]

That will be like the seatbelt law here in indiana, will be enforced big time the first year then just peter out. I still dont wear my seatbelt. Have only been pulled over once and the cop said I better have a good excuse for not wearing it. I said I dont have to wear a helmet while riding my motorcycle so who are you to say I have to wear my seatbelt while driving my truck, just dosent make sense to me. He said good enough and let me go.

That's funny, I'll have to remember that one next time here in WI the officer hands me a 10 dollar ticket for not wearing my seat belt either. 

I wish WI though would step up and do what IL is now going to be doing.  Those darn cell phones period should be outlawed every single day, NO JOKE, I see someone around me with their ear peeled to their phones not just for 1 minute, but for hours and hours while driving. 

[Patrick]

Seat belts. We have had a seat belt law for 30+ years and some I know still refuse to wear on. I grew up in the auto business and we had a large tow operation. I grew up pulling speared folks off steering shafts. Remember when seat belts were dealer installed ? We/I used to install many of them. For many years I ran the sled for the state police at the state fair. Seat belts save lives. But, I don't care whether you wear one or not.  I just don't want to get your tow call.

Helmet. We have had a helmet law since 1966. A helmet saved my life before that law went into effect, so,,,,,,

[musclehead]

ok, that's fine.... I used to drive across states that had the cell phone law and count how many were in violation.

sometimes I'd try to guess a number, never came close though  

[olddog1946]

The technology is out there to disable moving cell phones and I personally think it should be used. Washington has cell phone laws but I have yet to see anyone stopped for using them.

[Patrick]

The technology is out there to disable moving cell phones and I personally think it should be used. Washington has cell phone laws but I have yet to see anyone stopped for using them.

Thats true, the technology is here for that. But, how do you implement it and be fair about it. What about those that have hands free vehicles. I use mine with just one poke of the left thumb. I like that because today no one can figure out whether you're talking on the phone or just talking to yourself. 

[Challenger]

We pulled a young girl out of car after she ran off the road and hit a tree, The cop asked her if she was on the phone and she said no, she wouldn't do that. We started laughing to her dismay. She had the perfect imprint of the phone on her cheek where the air bag planted it. It seems like everyone I see at an intersection is on the phone, Been crowded over many times by drivers on the phone. I hope they enforce this law.

[TJ]

This is the helmet that I was wearing when I went down on the freeway last June.  I was able to ride home and continue my life.  As hardheaded as my wife says I am, I doubt I would have survived without a good helmet.  Food for thought.

I'm not saying one way or another but have you ever thought that the 6 lb helmet on your head might have been the reason your head hit the road in the first place...

[Challenger]

QUOTE  " I'm not saying one way or another but have you ever thought that the 6 lb helmet on your head might have been the reason your head hit the road in the first place..."   SERIOUSLY?

[da prez]

  I forgot to add that Illinois also has one touch on , one touch off also.
As far as "were you on the phone"? All calls are recorded by hour , minute and second. So , choose your lies carefully. Cell phone records have been used in court!

                                 da prez

[Patrick]

This is the helmet that I was wearing when I went down on the freeway last June.  I was able to ride home and continue my life.  As hardheaded as my wife says I am, I doubt I would have survived without a good helmet.  Food for thought.

I'm not saying one way or another but have you ever thought that the 6 lb helmet on your head might have been the reason your head hit the road in the first place...

Really ?  You're not a helmet wearer are you.  Got to remember that, not one I've heard before.

[Patrick]

  I forgot to add that Illinois also has one touch on , one touch off also.
As far as "were you on the phone"? All calls are recorded by hour , minute and second. So , choose your lies carefully. Cell phone records have been used in court!

                                 da prez

Yep, Cell phone records being presented in court are SOP here in NY. Problem is, that doesn't happen unless there has been an accident.

[Hoser]

I don't care if folks wear or don't wear helmets, but lets be realistic, It is more risky to not wear the helmet.  I maintain that it should be riders choice. And Most cell phones have hands free capabilities.. at least mine do.  Hoser 

[Alien]

This is the helmet that I was wearing when I went down on the freeway last June.  I was able to ride home and continue my life.  As hardheaded as my wife says I am, I doubt I would have survived without a good helmet.  Food for thought.

I'm not saying one way or another but have you ever thought that the 6 lb helmet on your head might have been the reason your head hit the road in the first place...

WHAT???  Have you ever actually ridden a motorcycle?  Ever been in a crash of any significance? Have you ever heard of physics or gravity?  300 pounds of human and gear flying through the air at 50mph, bouncing off a car and then landing on my back may have had a little something to do with it, DON"T YA THINK?????

To answer your question, No, I have never thought that the helmet was the reason my head hit the ground...because I'm not stupid.

[Gavin_Sons]

Wearing a helmet should be the riders choice. I sometimes choose to wear one and other times I choose not too. I use to wear one even if I rolled down to the mailbox. Some claim I should wear one at all times, even while not on the bike.  

[old2soon]

The technology is out there to disable moving cell phones and I personally think it should be used. Washington has cell phone laws but I have yet to see anyone stopped for using them.

I've been very vocal on using that solution. Not a vindictive person and here comes the BUT. If I survive an accident while I'm on my motorcycle or in my cage AND the other person was using a cell phone that caused the accident-I WILL find the very best barrister to not only protect my interests but to secure my great grand children's futures. I DO NOT see any of these laws curtailing cell phone use. We have drunk driving laws and an awfully large amount of drunk driving involved fatalities. ONE B T W is too many. And on the helmet comments-I choose to wear one-even in states that DO NOT require one. From the high seat of my 18 wheeler I have observed stupidity on a national scale. RIDE SAFE.

[Gryphon Rider]

Fines for distracted driving (cell phones, etc.) haven't made a difference in Alberta. I hope they add demerits to the penalty soon, then increase enforcement.

[signart]

Hands free is not any better. It is the phone conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using cell phones will continue to cause accidents and cost lives.

[fudgie]

Gavin, I'm always interested in why someone doesn't wear a helmet while riding. I've seen so many accidents with fatalities due to rather minor head injuries that having a helmet would have saved them. As I've said many times in the past and often to a couple sons-in-law; a wheelchair for the rest of your life is much more confining than a helmet. Just food for thought.

Like Gavin says, I'm alot more aware of my surroundings. Visual and hearing. Been a non wearer for about 7 yrs. I love it!  I do have a novelty for rain and mandatory States.
And yes I've seen alot of MC wrecks in my 16 yrs of EMS. From what I've had, more died with helmets on then without. Head trauma is not the only fatal injuries you can get. Blunt force trauma is a biggie. Or tearing your aorta as you leave the saddle.
As for a wheelchair comment, I aggree. Thats why I dont wear one. Id rather go out doing what I love then to live thru it and be stuck in a wheelchair for 50 more yrs.
If its your time to go you will go. Nothing can stop that. I've had healthy 20 yr old die and even kids who had no time to pick up unhealth habits. You go when its your time.

[Jess from VA]

Hands free is not any better. It is the phone conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using cell phones will continue to cause accidents and cost lives.

Absolutely!  

Driver should use no phone, no way, period!!

Pull off the road and park to use it, period.

I hate G regs.  But zero use for drivers should be the law everywhere.

Yes, some can multitask safely, but everyone who has a license has run across many who can not.

[Patrick]

Hands free is not any better. It is the phone conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using cell phones will continue to cause accidents and cost lives.

Absolutely!  

Driver should use no phone, no way, period!!

Pull off the road and park to use it, period.

I hate G regs.  But zero use for drivers should be the law everywhere.

Yes, some can multitask safely, but everyone who has a license has run across many who can not.

Hmm, OK. I'll agree that any conversation can be, or is, distracting. So, it now appears that the driver can not converse with anyone in ,or on, the vehicle or bike.

[signart]

A conversation with anyone can be a distraction, but not like what we are talking here. Cell phone conversation is equivalent to d.u.i. in many cases and cell phone distraction happens 100's of times more frequently than does d.u.i. Watch the cell talker hold up traffic on the interstate. Watch them hold up traffic at the light or stop sign. Watch the cell talker cross the yellow line coming at you in a curve, almost every curve. Watch them run past the red light & stop in the middle of the intersection. Texting is dangerous as well, but no more dangerous.

[MP]

The technology is out there to disable moving cell phones and I personally think it should be used. Washington has cell phone laws but I have yet to see anyone stopped for using them.

And why should my wife NOT be able to talk on her phone with me driving?   Or while riding a bus or train?  The phone does not know WHY you are moving.

What about eating, changing the radio station, reading, etc. etc. etc. in a car.  Stats show they are about as dangerous, yet few calls to outlaw them.  There is also a BIG difference in using one crossing ND on I-94, than in Atlanta traffic!

MP

[Patrick]

A conversation with anyone can be a distraction, but not like what we are talking here. Cell phone conversation is equivalent to d.u.i. in many cases and cell phone distraction happens 100's of times more frequently than does d.u.i. Watch the cell talker hold up traffic on the interstate. Watch them hold up traffic at the light or stop sign. Watch the cell talker cross the yellow line coming at you in a curve, almost every curve. Watch them run past the red light & stop in the middle of the intersection. Texting is dangerous as well, but no more dangerous.

We all see this every day. Defensive driving takes on an added meaning. The problem ones that I see have the damn phone stuck to their ear. Some folks cannot concentrate on more than one thing, maybe not even on one thing. They become distracted way too easily. But I don't know which it is, because as far as I'm concerned there are too many out there that shouldn't be driving period, even without the phone.

[Hoser]

Hands free is not any better. It is the phone conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using cell phones will continue to cause accidents and cost lives.

Oh BS, it's no more dangerous than talking to your passengers.  Probably less so.  You don't have to look at a phone to talk to it, which most people do when talking to a person.  Hoser

Not trying to antagonize you, but think about it.

[Rebyl]

Any cell phone use is about $200 fine here in NZ, I think it should be $1000 for the idiots that think they can concentrate on the road and use a cell phone.
As for helmets we have had that law for 25 years plus and I also agree with it.
Took my lid off last year in the States....cause I could and it was real hot...lady driver pulls out in front of me, head smashed into car....47 stitches to head, Scarface now to remember my stupidity and remind others that it is just plain stupid not to wear one.
Yep...I learned my lesson for sure...Should have known better as my Business is Driver training including Motorbike licences etc as well as being a trucker....sometimes we just let the idiot switch click on.
I hear and read a lot about your right to choose....well what about the right of your family to stick you in a nut house cause your brain injury means you cannot fed yourself or wipe you own bum.
Never agin will I go naked just cause I can...I owe my family more than that...
By the way I had about 2 seconds to react to the stupid woman, then it went black for 45 minutes...Nuff said

[wiggydotcom]

The wild card here might be that Illinois is so far in the red financially, that they might go after this hard as much from a revenue
generating mechanism as the safety factor; sorta like Red light cameras. I read somewhere that some states have bought tall pickups and SUVs that allow them to actually look down on motorists at their sides. So, I'm thinking it will be enforced pretty hard.

The other thing I can't get over is the BLATANT red light runners. It's gotten so bad over the last few years that I see traffic lights
have even been reprogramed so that there is no longer a fast transition to giving the other traffic a green after the perpendicular traffic gets their red.

And lastly, there are two schools of riders..those that have flown over their handlebars when their bikes made an abrupt stop into a drivers door at 45 mph or greater and those that haven't. I guess you know which group I'm in. I got lucky that I lived and wasn't wearing a helmet. But I do have hardware in my head to show for it. If I had been wearing a helmet, I'd probably had no facial injuries at all. With that said, I'm against helmet laws but wear one myself as part of a deal with the family to get another Valk to replace my totaled one.

[Karen]

Hands free is not any better. It is the phone conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using cell phones will continue to cause accidents and cost lives.

Couldn't agree more with you.

[Serk]

Yay! Another law! More government meddling! But.... Won't someone THINK OF THE CHILDREN???

[Willow]

Yay! Another law! More government meddling! But.... Won't someone THINK OF THE CHILDREN??? 

I agree!  Children driving on cell phones should be double the fine!   

[Hoser]

 


It's an On star satellite phone for cryin out loud.   Touch the button on the mirror, tell your computer operator the number you want to call, talk to whoever you called and say goodbye.  You don't even have to shut it off, the computer does that! you never take your eyes of the road.  Can't handle that?  I can, even at my advanced age.  Hoser   

[Jess from VA]

Hands free is not any better. It is the phone conversation that is the distraction.
Drivers using cell phones will continue to cause accidents and cost lives.

Absolutely!  

Driver should use no phone, no way, period!!

Pull off the road and park to use it, period.

I hate G regs.  But zero use for drivers should be the law everywhere.

Yes, some can multitask safely, but everyone who has a license has run across many who can not.

Hmm, OK. I'll agree that any conversation can be, or is, distracting. So, it now appears that the driver can not converse with anyone in ,or on, the vehicle or bike.

There is a difference between using a machine to talk, hands free or not, and conversing with  passengers.  Obviously you could not prevent conversations with passengers (or with yourself LOL).  But who has not been the driver in a car where the weather (rain, snow, mud), traffic, passengers/dog activity, etc, has not combined to make the driver tell everyone to shut up, and turn the radio off?  I am used to driving alone (for many years): rarely is anyone in my car.   I do not appreciate any significant distractions inside the car when I am driving, beyond those all around me in traffic (and I'm perpetually in traffic).  Way too many drivers cannot talk on the phone and drive competently at the same time (or talk to passengers either).  We've all seen it..... hands free or not.

There are many very good reasons to NOT disable Cphones in cars.... emergencies, rollovers, road ragers, fire, medical issues, yada, so that is out.  But no drivers on phones should be the rule.

And it is also my observation that great motorcycle riders are probably some of the best multitaskers around..... and they don't need to be on the phone either.

[Hoser]

Let's see now, should we outlaw the radio, so we won't be distracted by our favorite music?  the radio is where the voice on a On star phone comes from,by the way, automatically turns off the radio when a call comes in.  Don't any of you naysayers own a GM vehicle?  I can't believe you would think it is to distracting drive while it is in use.  Maybe we should pull over to listen to a favorite song on the radio so it will be safe to sing  along.  It sure  would add to a trip's duration if we did that. Give me a break.  It really worries me that there are people out there driving that are too distracted to safely drive an automobile if the radio is on.    ???    Hoser   Wow