Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Save Lives and Improve Traffic Safety by Keeping Distracted Drivers Off the Road

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws aimed at reducing the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers. One law prohibits the use of all hand-held mobile phones while driving on Illinois roads, and the second increases the penalties where any use of an electronic device while driving is the cause of an accident. This legislation is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois roads safer for all drivers.

"Distracted driving is not only dangerous - it's deadly," Governor Quinn said. "Too many Illinois families have suffered because of accidents that could have been prevented. Anyone driving a car should be careful, responsive and alert behind the wheel. These new laws will save lives."

House Bill 1247, sponsored by State Representative John D'Amico (D-Chicago) and State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on any road in Illinois while using a mobile phone or other electronic communication device. The bill makes exceptions for hands-free devices, including those with headsets that can initiate a call using a single button or a voice command. The new law takes effect January 1, 2014.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into an accident causing injuries, and distracted driving caused 387,000 injuries and more than 3,000 fatalities across the country in 2011. Illinois joins 11 other states and the District of Columbia in banning the use of hand-held devices while driving.

"When people get behind the wheel, they have a responsibility to themselves and to others to drive safely," Representative D'Amico said. "When motorists are on the phone, they are not giving their full attention to the most important task they have. This law will help reduce traffic accidents and make Illinois roads safer."

"We want drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel," Senator Mulroe said. "The phone call can wait."

House Bill 2585, sponsored by State Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) and State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), increases the penalties that can be imposed on drivers whose use of an electronic device while driving causes an accident. If the accident causes great bodily harm, the driver can be sentenced to up to one year in prison, and a fatal accident can result in a prison sentence of one to three years. Current law only allows these drivers to be charged with traffic violations. The new law takes effect January 1, 2014.

"After passing legislation to ban the use of cell phones in work and school zones, I felt that we needed to enhance the penalties for causing an accident while talking on a cell phone," Senator Sandoval said. "This measure will increase roadway safety throughout the state and bring additional attention to the dangers of being on a cell phone while behind the wheel."

Governor Quinn has made reducing traffic fatalities and improving traffic safety a top priority of his administration. He has been a strong advocate of road safety measures which have resulted in Illinois having under 1,000 traffic fatalities for the first time in 88 years in 2009, the first year of Governor Quinn's term, and in every year since. The Governor has signed laws to decrease traffic congestion, replace deteriorating roadways and ensure that all drivers are properly licensed.

In addition, Governor Quinn continues to support initiatives designed to reduce fatalities on Illinois roadways such as "Operation Teen Safe Driving," a program which enlists young people to teach safe driving skills to their peers in an effort to reduce teen road fatalities.