If the distracted driving laws include much more than just texting, how can they insure safety when the majority of the public doesn’t understand what they can or can not do? Despite this confusion, has the law made an impact on car crashes?
It’s More Than Just Texting
PEORIA – The laws in Illinois to prevent distracted driving began in 2010, but how well are they working to insure citizen safety?
Currently, the law prohibits drivers from composing, sending or reading an electronic message. This not only includes text messages but emails, pictures, videos and accessing the internet.
“Although reading a text message is a violation of the law, it can be difficult to prove in court whether a driver was reading a text message versus glancing at the GPS on their phone,” said East Peoria traffic prosecutor Kateah McMasters.
McMasters has been prosecuting about a year and has only three accidents related to texting and driving. Although some people who receive the written tickets admit their guilt, others try to explain or use excuses. They might simply be trying to get out of a ticket, or maybe they never completely understood the law to begin with. Most people believe the law only includes texting.
“I also have people who think they are allowed to text when stopped at a red light; however, this is not an exception to the law,” said McMasters. “A driver must be parked on the shoulder or have the vehicle in neutral or park if stopped in obstructed traffic.”
Peoria resident Justin Beamer, 21, was pulled over recently in a construction zone after using his phone. After explaining that he received a call, the police officer let him go with a warning.
Peoria resident Nicholas Dodd, 35, received a harsher punishment. Similarly, Dodd was pulled over by a police officer after the officer saw him on his phone while driving through a construction zone. Although he was looking at an address and not specifically texting, Dodd was given a ticket with a fine of $300.
“It is often very easy for a police officer to tell when someone is texting and driving because it involves either using two hands to text or using one hand to push multiple buttons,” said McMasters.
Despite his encounter, Dodd doesn’t oppose the law.
“I actually think it’s a legitimate law,” said Dodd. “I think they need to make the specifications more well-known, but I like what it’s supposed to do. Texting and driving kills too many people.”
Despite the uncertainty of the law, as of 2011, about one percent of the drivers in fatal crashes were using a cell phone. Of the crashes including a cell phone, about 32 percent were between the ages of 20 and 29 according to an analysis if data from the NCSA.
A law goes into effect Jan. 1, that will prohibit a driver from using a cell phone in almost any capacity other than hands-free. This will help to prevent any confusion and close loopholes.
However, drivers will be able to use their cell phones to report an emergency while driving.