| Cell phone driving is distracting while driving, | | | | the specific act of text messaging while driving. |
| though sometimes this is simple to forget. Mobile | | | | This action was prohibited in the preliminary hands |
| phones have become such a standard part of our | | | | free law, but additional legislature was needed to |
| lives, it seems natural for them to be in any | | | | clarify the law. Since the preliminary ban in 2008 |
| circumstance, including in the automobile. | | | | distracted driving accidents have fallen significantly |
| California is one of the first states to impose a | | | | in Illinois. The minor inconvenience for the public |
| ban on phone usage in the car. The law that was | | | | has saved hundreds of lives for drivers. |
| passed in 2008 prohibits any driver from using a | | | | The fines for using a cell phone in California begin |
| hand held wireless communication device. Drivers | | | | at $20 for the first offence and climb to $50 for |
| may only use their phone if it is equipped with an | | | | any later offences. These fines are just the |
| approved hands free attachment, such as a blue | | | | bases, and can be doubled depending on the |
| tooth. Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a | | | | circumstances. This offence won't add any points |
| cell phone, even if it is equipped with a hands free | | | | to your driver's license, although it will be kept on |
| device. There are some exceptions to these | | | | your driving record. Insurance costs won't usually |
| rules, you can use your mobile phone for | | | | be affected by a cell phone driving offence, but |
| emergency purposes, such as contacting police, | | | | may change in some circumstances. |
| fire, or ambulances. Any calls to 911 are exempt | | | | Mobile phone usage and driving is dangerous. |
| from the new law. | | | | Remember, no phone is worth your life. |
| An additional law was passed in 2009 prohibiting | | | | |