Story Published:
Feb 8, 2009 at 10:40 PM CST
Story Updated:
Feb 8, 2009 at 10:40 PM CST
If it were up to a local state senator, text messaging while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois would be against the law.
Senator Dan Rutherford introduced a bill last week that drivers would face fines if they're caught texting on electronic devices like cell phones while driving.
The bill indicates texting behind the wheel would cost the driver 75–dollars for the violation and an additional 200 if it occurs at the time of a traffic accident.
Senator Rutherford said, "What really precipitated this was me coming back from a meeting and I'm driving down the highway and I look over there's a lady with her elbows on the steering wheel texting and her child is in a baby seat with a car carrier in the back, I'm thinking this is just wrong."
The bill currently sits in a Senate committee.
According to the Governor's Highway Safety Association, there are seven states that currently ban texting for all drivers.
10:45 AM Doggie wrote ...
A solution to the use of cell phones in a vehicle might be to have stiffer fines, and like drunk driving a criminal record. If it is worse than drunk driving the penalties should be higher. Hopefully the Mad Mothers get behind this so counties can generate more revenue.