Senator Sandoval and Secretary of State Jesse White ban texting on Illinois roads

State Senator Martin Sandoval, Chairman of theIllinois Senate Transportation Committee and Secretary of State Jesse White witnessed the signing of HB7, the historic public safety bill that bans texting while driving. During the signing ceremony, Gov. Pat Quinn credited the anti-texting bill's sponsors Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero, Sen. John D'Amico, D-Chicago, Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, as well as Secretary of State Jesse White for spearheading the safe-driving legislation.



Chicago, Illinois - Texting while driving is now illegal in Illinois. On August 6, 2009, Illinois State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) and Secretary of State Jesse White witnessed the official signing of HB 71, championed by Senator Sandoval, Chairman of theIllinois Senate Transportation Committee.The legislation will prohibit people from "texting" while driving. "Texting while driving is a relatively new but dangerous activity," said Sandoval.
 
House Bill 71 will prohibit a person from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message.  The penalty for violating this bill will constitute a moving violation.
 
During the signing ceremony at the Thompson Center Gov. Pat Quinn credited the anti-texting bill's sponsors Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero, Sen. John D'Amico, D-Chicago, Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, as well as Secretary of State Jesse White for spearheading the safe-driving legislation.
 
This legislation would exempt law enforcement officers, operators of emergency vehicles (while performing his/her official duties), a driver using an electronic communication device for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation, a driver using a device solely in voice-activated mode or a driver of a commercial motor vehicle reading a message displayed on a permanently installed communication device.
 
Several high-profile accidents have brought new focus to the issue.  A teenager who was texting while driving in Highlands Ranch, Colo., killed a bicyclist in 2005.  In June 2007, five members of a high school cheerleading squad were killed in New York when the young woman driving their vehicle lost control while allegedly sending a text message.
 
Experts believe 73 percent of wireless phone subscribers use their phones while driving. A Nationwide Insurance study estimated that 20 percent of all drivers send or receive text messages, and 66 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 confessed in a Zogby poll that they drive while texting.  Experts estimate that driver inattention is a factor in 80 percent of motor vehicle crashes and 65 percent of near crashes. This means that, each year, driver distraction is a factor in as many as 4.9 million accidents, causing 34,000 fatalities, 2.1 million injuries and as much as $184 billion in economic loss.
 
"Currently, the States of Washington, New Jersey, Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota and the District of Columbia have specifically prohibit driving while texting," said Senator Sandoval.  "This law is a step to make Illinois roads safer for everyone."  
 
The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.