What to Know About Cell Phone Tickets and Distracted Driving

 Posted on October 27,2022 in Criminal Law

No one wants to be pulled over and given a traffic ticket. But distracted driving could very easily lead to a traffic violation. The first thing that likely comes to mind is how expensive this ticket will be. In Illinois, there were 246,835 vehicle accidents in 2020. Nearly four percent of those crashes involved distracted driving. The consequences range from an expensive ticket on your hands to losing your driver’s license.

Distracted Driving and Using a Cell Phone

Adjusting the radio, eating, putting on makeup, or daydreaming could be considered distracted driving. But there are no laws explicitly banning any of those behaviors while driving. What is not legal in Illinois is using your cell phone while you are driving.

Points on Your License

Illinois has a ban on using handheld devices while driving. If you break this law, you could get a moving violation. It is a traffic offense that adds points to your driver’s license. Three moving violations within one year can result in the suspension of your driving privileges. Even if you think you have total control of your vehicle, an officer can pull you over if they see you using your cell phone to browse the internet, make calls, or take photos while you are driving.

Costly Ticket

If you get a ticket for distracted driving the fine increases according to the number of times you have received a citation in the following manner:

• 1st-time offender - $75

• 2nd-time offender - $100

• 3rd time offender - $125

• 4th and more citations - $150

If a driver is distracted and causes an accident that results in bodily injuries or death the consequences are more severe. They would have to pay a $1,000 fine and their driver’s license could be suspended for one year. Charges could range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony, which could include prison time.

Higher Insurance Premium

Your car insurance premiums are likely to go up with a distracted driving violation since you accrue points on your driving record. Car insurance rates go up about 50 percent if you cause a car accident while driving distracted.

Contact a Rolling Meadows Traffic Violations Defense Attorney

Most people pay the maximum traffic fine instead of fighting it in court. At Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law we help people who have various types of traffic violations. If you are accused of distracted driving or using your cell phone while on the road, our Arlington Heights traffic violations defense lawyer will try to get you the best possible outcome. Call 847-253-3400 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813309

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/how-much-insurance-goes-up-after-accident

https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/Safety/HSP/IL_FY22_HSP.pdf

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K12-610.2