Comments on: New Chicago Law Makes Illegal Holding a Cell Phone While Driving

By: Wanda

Wanda — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:48:55 +0000

OK, this law has been on the books for how long now? Yet yesterday (12/19/07) they announced a civil action suit against the city for not informing people.

Since when is ignorance of the law an excuse to sue?!?!?!??

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:44:56 +0000

I believe that this law should be taken lightly if the driver is more experienced behind the wheel and can concentrate more on the task at hand then their simple phones, such as someone who is 25 or older. Many people can think that they are a good driver after only one year behind the wheel because they passed Driver’s Education! Many drivers between the ages of 25-45 are disgusted at the sight of cell phone-wielding drivers that don’t even pay attention to the pedestrians walking on the street that are given the Right-of-way! I have almost been hit walking home many times by a younger driver, carelessly driving through an intersection without looking to see where they are driving and what might be in their way. My Belief is that people over the age of 25 should be able to either know enough not to be too distracted by cell phones, but for the younger drivers, they should have this law majorly enforced due to safety on the road! I WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!!! good day!

By: reader

reader — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:30:09 +0000

Silly. then they need to outlaw eating in the car too. i didn’t even know that was the law here and I talk on the phone while driving all the time.

By: anne

anne — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 21:24:13 +0000

for the record, it is not about physically holding the phone in one’s hand. Cell phone’s relevance to driving is in the structure of human attention. By talking and driving at the same time the brain unconciously ‘cheats’ one of the tasks out of having full attention paid to it, and in most cases it is the driving that suffers. not the conversation.

By: rachel

rachel — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:57:26 +0000

i simply want to know if cell phones are illegal while driving in my state and city…las vegas nv…or who to ask to find out…

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 03:20:43 +0000

is this only in the chicago city limits?

By: Willi

Willi — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 23:31:04 +0000

Ok, what’s next? Should it be illegal to hold a Coke in one hand while driving and talking to someone in the passenger seat at the same time? It’s the same as talking on a hand held cell phone. Perhaps the real problem is that we allow people to drive that should not be allowed to.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Sat, 14 May 2005 11:35:30 +0000

We have had a similar law in NYS for quite some time. Most drivers are still holding their phones while driving, but what is even worse than that is some drivers that do stop to answer the phone when it rings are stopping the car wherever they are at the time with no regards to where they are stopping. They stop in the middle of the road, around blind curves and hills. I think that this has actually created a more dangerous problem.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Fri, 13 May 2005 22:34:15 +0000

We have that law in Santa Fe, NM as well. And they are VERY stringent about watching and ticketing. I think it is a very good thing…other areas of NM are considering adding this law to their books.

By: davolente@speed-mail.co.uk

davolente@speed-mail.co.uk — Fri, 13 May 2005 21:01:47 +0000

Re. Martyn`s comment. I would agree. I drive for a living in the UK and, although I need a phone in my job, I have NEVER hand-held one in a vehicle. It`s been a bee in my bonnet ever since I was nearly taken out by a truck hurtling onto a roundabout that I was negotiating. The driver, on the phone, was quite oblivious to my presence without one iota of real concentration on his driving. I don`t understand why people do do it. Even simple earpices with an in-line mic. are just a few pounds and I`m sure some people consider it sissy to use them! I think there should be huge penalties for the crime, even more where there the act causes an accident.