Village of Westmont
Date Issued: April 11, 2014
In an effort to reduce the number of traffic crashes caused by distracted driving, the Westmont Police Department in conjunction with the Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Secretary of State and AAA Motor Club have taken a proactive approach to educate drivers about the new hand-held cellphone ban that took effect on January 1, 2014.
From January 1 through April 9, 2014, the Westmont Police Department issued a total of 278 warnings and/or citations to drivers using an electronic device while driving. The Westmont Police Department will continue with targeted patrols in order to educate and enforce the new hands-free cell phone law. Chief Tom Mulhearn said, “Our goal in this program is to enhance the safety of all motorists using our roads in the Village of Westmont”.
The new state law prohibits motorists from talking on all but hands-free mobile phones while driving. In addition, the new law imposes fees starting at $75 for drivers caught using a hand-held cellphone while driving. Drivers could pay $150 for repeat offenses and may eventually have their driver’s license suspended.
In addition, the new law imposes stricter penalties following crashes in which electronic devices were being used at the time of collision. A crash causing great bodily harm can earn a driver up to one year in prison and a fatal crash can result in a prison sentence of up to three years.
The only way to slow down the growing problem of distracted driving is by everyone doing their part to make Illinois roads safer. Drivers need to remember that if they drive with a phone on one hand, they can expect a ticket in the other. Please contact Deputy Chief Ross Brenza at 630-981-6323 or rbrenza@westmont.il.gov for additional information.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-981-6245, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
