Instead of banning potentially distracting activities like texting, talking on the phone or eating behind the wheel, state Sen. John Millner, R-West Chicago, is proposing to create a "distracted driving" violation that would be targeted to drivers violating current traffic rules due to distractions like phones or food.
"The bill is for the people who can't chew gum and walk," Millner said.
Millner said his legislation is in no way a ban of any devices or activities in the car, but rather leaves it up to the drivers to decide whether they can handle distractions while driving or not.
"I've seen truck drivers talking on the phone and handling it just fine, but I've seen other guys in small cars on their phones and forgetting to put their turn signal on, or nearly running into another car. It's ridiculous," Millner said.
According to Millner's bill, if a driver fails to obey traffic rules, speeding restrictions or proper lane usage while engaging in a distracting activity, the driver will be issued a distracted driving violation.
Legislation to reduce the growing number of accidents caused by distracted driving has been a popular issue in Springfield this session. There are several bills that would restrict cell phone usage in vehicles and one bill that proposes to ban texting on bicycles, but legislation targeting all distractions behind the wheel is a new one.
Among the various bills addressing distracted driving is the issue of enforcement. Millner said his legislation would be easier to enforce than a cell phone or texting ban because an officer only needs to see that something is in the driver's hand while making a traffic violation.
Millner said his bill is not overreaching personal liberties and instead does the opposite. Instead of restricting activities from all drivers, the legislation only targets those who can't control their vehicles while participating in a potentially distracting activity.
Millner's bill would allow law enforcement officers to stop, search or inspect a vehicle and its contents if there is suspicion that the driver has committed a distracted driving violation. full story
