Does Chicago Have a Distracted Driver Problem?

Even though Chicago has taken certain steps and measures to prevent and combat distracted driving, it continues to be a major issue throughout the city and the state. Distracted driving can come in various forms and can affect a driver’s vision, cognitive thinking, and physical or manual performance.

It is important to know that any time your eyes, attention, or even hands are off the wheel, you are most likely driving distractedly, which can put you, your passengers, and other drivers and road users around you at risk of a severe car accident.

The different types of distracted driving

There are three different types of distracted driving, which are manual, cognitive, and visual. We will go over all three types and provide examples of each below.

1. Manual: A manual distraction causes you to physically remove at least one of your hands from the steering wheel. For example, if you are adjusting the temperature controls, changing the radio station, smoking a cigarette, brushing your hair, putting on makeup, petting your dog, or reaching for a pen you dropped on the floorboard, you are manually distracted. When a driver does not have both hands on the steering wheel, they may lack control over the vehicle, which can make it difficult to react to sudden situations or changes in traffic or road conditions. In order to prevent manual distractions, you should ensure that your seat, wheel, temperature, and radio settings meet your preferences before you get behind the wheel. You should also wait to handle your grooming needs after you get to your location, come to a complete stop, or pull over.
2. Cognitive: A cognitive distraction causes you to take your mind off the task at hand, which is driving. Your eyes can be on the road and your hands can be on the steering wheel. However, if you are thinking about something else, then your mind and attention is not on driving, which can be dangerous and often deadly. Some people find themselves daydreaming, thinking about an argument they had with a spouse, or even worrying about a final test that they are about to take in class, which are all forms of cognitive distractions. Another common cognitive distraction is engaging in a conversation with a passenger or talking to a friend on speakerphone. While these acts may seem completely harmless because you are looking at the road and have both hands on the steering wheel, they can actually prevent you from being able to respond quickly enough to certain issues or changes on the roadway. In order to prevent cognitive distractions, you should make sure that you have had enough sleep, have not recently had an argument or received devastating news from a family member or friend, and have your phone on silent or in “driving mode.”
3. Visual: A visual distraction causes you to take your eyes off the road and your surroundings. You may do this by reading a text message, changing the radio station, looking at your GPS maps, watching a plane in the sky, checking your emails, watching videos, and more. When you are visually distracted, you are unable to prepare for unexpected events or situations that may arise on the roadway, which can increase your chances of being in a car crash. In order to prevent visual distractions, you should ensure that your cellphone is put away, your GPS is already set up to guide you to the correct destination, and that you refrain from looking at objects, animals, or people on the side of the road for too long. If you need to read a message or check your phone, you should pull over and get out of traffic’s way before doing so.

Data showing that Chicago has a distracted driving problem

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago and the rest of Illinois has a distracted driving problem. Here is some of the data we found showing that this problem is prevalent across the state:

• In 2020, more than 190 individuals were killed in distracted driving accidents in Illinois.
• In 2020, over 9,400 Illinois car crashes involved a distracted driver.
• In 2022, law enforcement officers handed out over 7,200 tickets and over 10,000 warnings due to distracted driving in Illinois.
• The most frequently reported distracted driving behavior is texting or talking on the phone while driving.
• In 2020, Illinois was the sixth state with the highest rate of distracted driving deaths.
• In 2023, more than 10,000 tickets and close to 10,000 warnings were given out by law enforcement officers for distracted driving in Illinois.

What laws has Illinois implemented to prevent distracted driving?

Illinois has certain laws in place to prevent distracted driving. According to 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, some of these laws include:

• You cannot use any type of electronic handheld device while driving.
• You cannot write, read, or send any type of electronic message while operating a vehicle.
• You cannot use a cell phone while driving through a construction zone or in a school zone.
• All drivers under the age of 19 are not allowed to use or have a cell phone in the vehicle while driving.

In January 2024, the state of Illinois began banning participation in any type of video conferences, watching or streaming videos, or accessing social media sites or applications while operating a vehicle. This includes sites, applications, and social media accounts, such as Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, Twitch, and more.

What are the fines if caught violating the distracted driving laws in Chicago?

If you are caught violating any of the above-mentioned laws in Chicago, you will receive a fine of $75 as a first offender, $100 as a second offender, $125 as a third offender, and $150 for fourth or more offenses. If you are caught violating any of the above-mentioned laws and cause a crash that injures or kills another person, you will receive a fine of at least $1,000. You could also potentially receive a prison sentence and lose your license.

Were you recently injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver? If so, the car accident lawyers at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers are here to help. Our team has built a solid reputation known for standing up and advocating for our clients’ rights when it comes to these types of accidents, and we will gladly do the same for you. All you have to do is call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today. We offer strong and dependable representation, and we will fight for the compensation you need and deserve to cover your losses and help you get back on your feet again.