19 Cited for Using Cell Phones While Driving During 4-Hour Enforcement

The Lake in the Hills Police on Monday conducted a “distracted driving enforcement zone” on Pyott Road north of Algonquin Road to monitor the use of cellular telephones while operating a vehicle.

During the four hours of enforcement, Lake in the Hills Police issued 19 citations for the use of all hand-held mobile phones while driving, according to a LITH Police Department press release. 

“It’s obvious that many people are not complying with the new distracted driving laws," said Sgt. Eric Decker with the LITH Police Department.  “This new law was put into effect to make the roads safer and protect people from distracted drivers”.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into an accident causing injuries, and distracted driving caused 387,000 injuries and more than 3,000 fatalities across the country in 2011. Illinois joins 11 other states and the District of Columbia in banning the use of hand-held devices while driving.

“The Lake in the Hills Police are taking a zero tolerance stance on violations of the distracted driving law," said James Wales, Director of Police and Public Safety. “If you operate a vehicle while using a hand held mobile phone you will receive a citation." 

House Bill 1247 prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on any road in Illinois while using a mobile phone or other electronic communication device. 

The bill makes exceptions for hands-free devices, including those with headsets that can initiate a call using a single button or a voice command. The new law took effect January 1, 2014.