Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that bans motorists from sending text messages while driving. Attending the bill singing ceremony at Northeastern Illinois University were Chuck and Gloria Wilhelm, parents of Matt Wilhelm, who died after he was struck by a woman downloading ring tones to her cell phone. Governor Quinn stated that the new law will “save lives and make the roads safer for our loved ones. We want everyone to know that distracted driving will not be tolerated in Illinois.”

The new measures will make it illegal to compose, send or read text messages, instant messages and e-mail on a cell phone or surf the internet while driving. The ban also includes personal digital assistants (PDAS) and portable or mobile computers. The ban does not cover the use of global positioning systems (GPS) or navigation systems.The governor also signed House Bill 72, which will make it illegal to use a cell phone while driving through a school speed zone or in a highway construction zone unless it is a hands-free device. The new legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

Illinois joins a growing number of states and municipalities that have adopted bans on texting while driving. Driving while distracted is a serious problem: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 25 percent to 30 percent of reported crashes involve drivers not paying attention. This means that distracted driving is a factor in over 1.2 million vehicle crashes a year in the United States. Studies show that the risk of a crash or near-accident is 23 times higher for motorists who are text-messaging while driving. People using cell phones are much more likely to be in a crash involving personal injury.

According to statistics released by the Illinois Department of Transportation, there are over 7000 work zone motor vehicle crashes a year in Illinois resulting in 2600 injuries and 33 fatalities, including an average of 2 worker fatalities. Motorists account for eighty five percent of work zone fatalities. Motorists are urged to Please Slow Down! in work zones so that they can arrive at their destinations safely.

Safe driving tips that motorists should follow in work zones include watching for signs posted a minimum of one-half mile in advance of construction zones. Reduce your speed to the posted speed limit,generally 45 m.p.h. Work zone speed limits are to be obeyed at all times of the day. Workers do not have to be present to receive a speeding ticket in a work zone. Fines for speeding in a work zone are a minimum of $375 for the first offense and a minimum of $1000 for the second offense. Mandatory court appearance is required for all work zone speeding violations. Don’t tailgate! Rear-end collisions caused by tailgaters are one of the most common crashes in work zones. Stay alert and minimize distractions. Don’t talk on cell phones. Watch for workers. Keep an eye out for the orange and lime-green that workers wear when on the job. Finally, expect the unexpected: traffic patterns may change in construction zones; sudden stops also may be required.

The Illinois Department of Tranportation stresses that slowing down in work zones will only add seconds to the overall length of a trip, so when you see the orange work zone signs, Please Slow Down!

Police all over Illinois are cracking down on Scott’s Law violators while those in Lake County in particular are becoming more aggressive.

“Scott’s Law” requires drivers to slow down and move over when they are passing emergency vehicles including fire and police cars and trucks, tow trucks, and highway maintenance vehicles. This law took effect in 2002 and the number of tickets being written each year is climbing. The law was written after Lt. Scott Gillen, a Chicago firefighter, was struck and killed while working at a traffic accident in 2000. There have been other incidents of death and injuries at these types of accidents since. According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund 18 people were killed last year and 14 the year before.

Drivers who get caught violating Scott’s Law can receive a ticket of up to $200 plus traffic school and supervision. Violating the law twice can lead to a discretionary suspension of the driver’s license. In either case if there is property damage or personal injuries penalties can increase up to a $10,000 fine and a three year loss of license.

An SUV rolled over on Wednesday on the Edens Expressway killing its driver, Michael Kalinski. The SUV Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicle crashed when the driver lost control for unknown reasons. The vehicle then flipped and rolled into a ditch off the Edens Expressway near Skokie.

The driver was apparently not wearing a seat belt and was ejected form the vehicle.

Every year approximately 5,000 people die and over 100,000 people are injured in large truck crashes according to the Public Citizen website. Despite the fact that large trucks make up just 3 percent of all registered vehicles, large trucks account for 9 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and are responsible for 12 percent of all crashes involving fatalities.

Congress is currently working on a bill to limit the size of large trucks on our roads. Any such legislation should be supported by anyone concerned about highway safety.

According to the National Safety Council:

Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in an auto crash while using a cell phone.

There is no difference in the cognitive distraction between hand-held and hands- free devices.