IL, CHICAGO CONSIDER BANS ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING!
IS BAN COMMON SENSE? OR AN UNNECESSARY INTRUSION ON PERSONAL LIBERTY?
Last week in IL, our State Senate approved and sent to the IL House a bill to ban sending text messages or surfing the Internet while operating a motor vehicle. The legislation was approved by a 45-6 vote. If passed by both houses of the IL Legislature, our Governor, Pat Quinn, is likely to sign the bill into law.
The Senate action was summarized in a story by Reporter Ashley Rueff in the Chicago Tribune, May 20th. Under the measure, drivers could still use GPS devices in their cars, even if such software is on their PDA or cell phone. Also, drivers would be allowed to pull off the road to send a text message, or text if stuck in gridlocked traffic, so long as they put their car in neutral first.
Proponents of the bill predict safer driving if the measure is past. The bill's detractors, however, are concerned about enforcing police officers scrolling through drivers' cell phones to check recent text logs. They see possible abuse, even the possibility of racial profiling!
The fine structure is to be worked out, but fines would be higher if the texting or surfing led directly to an accident. An earlier City of Chicago proposal would impose a $200 fine in the event of a texting-related collision.
On the topic of distracted driving, banning text messaging while traveling at 65 MPH sounds like common sense. But, then again - maybe not?
The IL Senate also approved a separate bill prohibiting use of cell phones in construction or school zones, unless hands free devices are used.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
