CL Police Ticket 36 in Distracted Driving Crackdown

The Crystal Lake Police Department announced the results of a special enforcement campaign held on Thursday that targeted motorists "choosing to drive distracted on the roadways."

Crystal Lake Police conducted the crackdown from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. The campaigned focused on drivers who were texting while driving, said Crystal Lake Police Cmmdr. Dan Dziewior.

During the enforcement effort, Crystal Lake Police:

• Stopped 30 motorists for traffic violations.

• Arrested 2 drivers for driving while drivers license suspended.

• Issued a total of 36 traffic citations which included:

• 13 Unlawful use of a communications device citations.

• 1 Commercial motor vehicle cell phone use prohibited citation.

• 2 Graduated Drivers License program cell phone use

prohibited citations.

• 5 Seatbelt citations.

• 1 Child restraint citation.

• 3 Disregard stop sign citations.

• 1 citation each for Speeding, Red light violation and No Insurance .

• 6 Equipment related citations.

In 2011, more than 3,000 people nationwide were killed in distracted driving related collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The public should be aware the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5.0/12-610.2) prohibits drivers from using an cellular phones to send or receive electronic communications of any form, and from accessing the internet, Dziewior said. 

Motorists are prohibited from using electronic communications devices while on a roadway while the vehicle is in drive for purposes other than for the sole purpose of communicating an emergency situation to emergency personnel, Dziewior said.

Dziewior said more enforcement campaigns of this nature are planned in the future as Crystal Lake Police continue to focus on violations that cause traffic crashes.