773-365-0040
Distracted driving has become an epidemic in Illinois. From 2008 to 2012, nearly 6,000 crashes occurred in which cell phone distractions were involved. 30 of these crashes were fatal. If you are driving and using a hand-held phone, you are four times more likely to get into a crash. If you could make the roads safer by elimination distractions while driving, wouldn’t you do it?
What you need to know
Illinois is the 12th state to ban the use of hand-held devices while driving. As of January 1, 2014, it is illegal to use hand-held cellphones while driving with exception to an emergency where it allows for speakerphones and headsets with voice activated or one-digit dialing. If you get a ticket for driving with a cell phone, fees start at $75 and repeat offenders could pay $150 or risk getting their licenses suspended. In addition to tickets and fees, the new law also imposes stricter penalties following crashes that cause bodily harm. The distracted driver could face up to one year in prison and up to three years in prison if the crash is fatal.
Take the pledge
You can make driving a safer task by taking a pledge to protect lives and stay off of your cell phone while driving. As a passenger, you can encourage the driver to eliminate distractions as well as encourage family and friends to drive phone-free.
At Shea Law Group, we believe safe driving is the first step in keeping roads safe and preventing serious injury or death due to vehicle accidents. We encourage you to make a difference on the roads and rid of distracting cell phone usage, but also other types of distractions such as grooming, eating, or playing with the radio. Our goal is to fight on behalf of vehicle crash victims to seek the compensation that is deserved. If you have been involved in a vehicle accident and seek legal representation, please contact the attorneys at Shea Law Group today at 1-877-365-0040 or contact us online.
