Public Act 96-0131 makes cell phone use in school zones, texting while driving illegal
September 03, 2008
Public Act 96-0131, which went into effect January 1, 2010, prohibits any driver, regardless of age, from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone or construction zone. Exceptions include using a phone in voice-activated mode, emergency use, use by construction workers engaged in highway construction or maintenance, and law enforcement personnel or emergency vehicle operators performing official duties.
Public Act 96-0130, also effective January 1, 2010, makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle anywhere while using an electronic communication device to compose, send or read text messages, instant messages, and e-mail on a cell phone or use the Internet. Personal digital assistants and portable or mobile computers are also banned.
These laws are a part of an effort to reduce the tragic consequences of distracted driving. Additional information can be found at www.dot.state.il.us/safety.html.
