Illinois distracted driving law

[rob_d]

Can anyone comment on the law stating use of handheld electronic communications while driving is prohibited? Does this include CB radio, scanner, walkie talkie, ham radio, etc.

The fines have become pretty steep as of July 1 but I have not read the actual law aside what is on the cyberdrive IL website.

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[doctordialtone]

Does this include CB radio, scanner, walkie talkie, ham radio, etc.

I would think that anything that can be construed as a "distraction" would invite attention by Law Enforcement.

I'm not familiar with the specific law.

As is always the case - don't draw attention to yourself.

 

[Giddyuptd]

If a officer has evidence, swaying, strutting the line, stop and standing in lanes marked for traffic and sees the hands eyes elsewhere he could apply distracted driving to it.

This would include a whopper and fries.

 

[K9JLR]

I met with my state representative and specifically lobbied to be sure that amateur transceivers were included as an exception, particularly due to concerns over somehow legislating against the use of APRS reporting equipment as a form of text messaging, which was not protected under original drafts of the bill back in 2010 (at that time it wasn't illegal carte blanche - the law has gotten progressively more restrictive and punitive). I know I wasn't the only one. Here is a copy of the statute verbatim: (625 ILCS 5/12-610.2) (Text of Section from P.A. 100-727) Sec. 12-610.2. Electronic communication devices.

(d) This Section does not apply to:
(7) a driver using two-way or citizens band radio services;
(8) a driver using two-way mobile radio transmitters or receivers for licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the amateur radio service;
(9) a driver using an electronic communication device by pressing a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication; or
(10) a driver using an electronic communication device capable of performing multiple functions, other than a hand-held wireless telephone or hand-held personal digital assistant (for example, a fleet management system, dispatching device, citizens band radio, or music player) for a purpose that is not otherwise prohibited by this Section.

 

[W9WSS]

Local radio club had a discussion regarding the use of cell / smart phones accessing Echolink; I guess the exception under rule #9 in K9JLR's explanation above *could* be applied, but I would say best NOT to argue with a police officer if you're stopped on the highway. Bring the above statute with you to court, show the prosecutor, and ultimately the judge.

 

[werinshades]

Pay attention to the road no matter what you're doing and you won't bring attention to yourself or kill and/or injure someone in the process. Also honor Scott's Law by moving over and if can't safely do so, slow down. Whatever is going on the radios, it can wait..

 

[buddrousa]

Tn is $50 1ST offense $200 if you caused an accident

 

[KK4JUG]

Georgia has an almost identical law that's been effect for a year now. According to news reports, over 24,000 citations were written in the last 12 months.

 

[KA9QPN]

There is still the same carve-out for Amateur and CB Radio as there was in the previous law.

(d) This Section does not apply to:
(7) a driver using two-way or citizens band radio services;
(8) a driver using two-way mobile radio transmitters or receivers for licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the amateur radio service;

625 ILCS 5/12-610.2​

 

[iMONITOR]

Distracted driving is a big deadly problem in S.E. Michigan! I'd like to see all phone & radio communications while driving banned unless you can prove it is an emergency. If you feel the need to talk or text so bad, just pull off into a parking lot and get it over with. Meanwhile, pay attention to your driving, speed, stay in your lane, don't drive down the shoulder, or the left turn lane, or on coming traffic!

 

[eaf1956]

Distracted driving is a big deadly problem in S.E. Michigan! I'd like to see all phone & radio communications while driving banned unless you can prove it is an emergency. If you feel the need to talk or text so bad, just pull off into a parking lot and get it over with. Meanwhile, pay attention to your driving, speed, stay in your lane, don't drive down the shoulder, or the left turn lane, or on coming traffic!

I pulled over to use my phone and a cop stopped behind me with lights on. Didn't get a ticket but hey what the heck I was doing as they say pull over and stop to use the phone.

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[K9DAK]

Distracted driving is a big deadly problem in S.E. Michigan! I'd like to see all phone & radio communications while driving banned unless you can prove it is an emergency. If you feel the need to talk or text so bad, just pull off into a parking lot and get it over with. Meanwhile, pay attention to your driving, speed, stay in your lane, don't drive down the shoulder, or the left turn lane, or on coming traffic!

It is here in Northern Illinois too. Back in September of 2014 I was rear-ended in my nine-month-old car by a texting driver... my VW (my avatar pic) sustained over $6,000 of damage... his Hyundai was totaled. He came up to me and said "sorry man, I only looked at my phone for a few seconds." And he didn't have insurance that day. And filed for bankruptcy after my insurance company went after him for the six-grand.

 

[iMONITOR]

I pulled over to use my phone and a cop stopped behind me with lights on. Didn't get a ticket but hey what the heck I was doing as they say pull over and stop to use the phone.

Well if you were on a freeway or a bad area that might be understandable. Did he say why he was stopping? Maybe he thought you needed help, car problem etc. In any event it sounds like it ended well.

 

[buddrousa]

Here is the Tn Law
https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/111/pub/pc0412.pdf

 

[W9WSS]

Attached is a copy of the law in a handy one-page document. I printed it out on card stock, laminated it, and have it available to show to a law enforcement officer in the event I am stopped for talking on ham radio while driving.View attachment 72851View attachment 72851

 

[eaf1956]

Well if you were on a freeway or a bad area that might be understandable. Did he say why he was stopping? Maybe he thought you needed help, car problem etc. In any event it sounds like it ended well.

It was a rural road (2 lane) on the outside of town near a cornfield. Truck was running with the lights on well off the roadway.

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[eaf1956]

Never been stopped for having or using multiple Ham radios in my vehicle.

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[RADIOGUY2002]

I get stoped on a regular bases by cook county for having a qoute on quote sucipious car and get read the riot act about antennas. I advise the officer its protect under federal law and produce license and we go on are way. So be it...education is a powerful tool if used right and not disrepectful.

 

[KK4JUG]

I get stoped on a regular bases by cook county for having a qoute on quote sucipious car and get read the riot act about antennas. I advise the officer its protect under federal law and produce license and we go on are way. So be it...education is a powerful tool if used right and not disrepectful.

Really? What's suspicious about antennae on a car in an urban area like Cook County and why do you put up with it?

 

[jwt873]

What do the police say when they 'read the riot act'? What's their concern?

I can't see anyone thinking antennas are suspicious.. Unless perhaps your car looks like this...