DISTRICT 12, Effingham, Ill. - The third annual Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week is a coordinated effort between the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP), AAA, The Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois High School High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA) and nearly 300 local law enforcement throughout Illinois to educate motorists about the dangers of driving while distracted and enforcing the laws on Illinois’ roadways.
Contrary to what some drivers may think, hands-free, handheld and in-vehicle technologies are not distraction-free, even if a driver’s eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel. The latest AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research found that drivers who text when behind the wheel more than double their odds of being involved in a crash.
Illinois State Police District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt “encourages all drivers to reduce distractions this week to start making an everyday habit of putting the phone down and just drive.”
Violating the Illinois distracted driving laws can be costly. Know before you go.
In Illinois:
· Law prohibits all drivers from texting and driving
· Law prohibits all drivers from using a hand-held phone while driving
· Law prohibits all teen drivers from using a cell phone while driving
For more information on Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week visit www.iddaw.org. These partnerships have been formed to help further a traffic safety culture in Illinois and to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries resulting from distracted driving. Please help the ILACP, AAA, and Illinois State Police, to keep Illinois’ roadways safe and Illinois strong.