According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, a record number of drivers were given cell phone tickets in Chicago last year. The Windy City's strict cellphone law went into effect in 2006 and last year's data shows that Chicago police issued 23,292 tickets for using a cell phone while driving. This is nearly a 73 percent increase from 2006.
Since the ban, the city has become more aggressive with cracking down on individuals violating the law. Additionally, the tickets are hard to fight and the fines have gone up from $50 to $500. With this new data, here are some facts about cell phone laws in other regions of the U.S.:
New York
The cell phone laws in the Big Apple are similar to Chicago. In New York, drivers are prohibited from using cell phones for texting, playing games, and sending data while operating a moving vehicle, reported Driving Laws. Violations are punishable by a $150 fine. The law is similar for talking on the phone while driving, although hands-free devices are allowed, except that this violation carries a $100 fine.
California
California has banned talking on a cell phone and texting behind the wheel since 2008, but allows hands-free devices according to MSNBC. The state attempted to increase the fines from the current $20 to $50 for texting and talking on the phone behind the wheel, but the governor vetoed this measure and the fine has not increased. However, local cities and counties can implement their own fines, so this amount can be higher in some areas of the state.
Colorado
Unlike many other strict states, Colorado's cell phone laws are more relaxed. According to the Colorado Legislative Council Staff, any driver under 18 is banned from using a cell phone while driving, this includes both calls and texting. Adult drivers are also banned from texting, data use, and playing games behind the wheel but are allowed to make regular voice calls. For both age groups, the first violation is $50 and subsequent violations are a $100 fine.
Washington
In 2010, Washington toughened up its cell phone driving laws, reported King 5 News. It's now a primary offense to be caught with a cell phone to your ear or to be texting while operating a vehicle. Drivers must use hands-free devices for voice calls or risk getting a $124 ticket, though dialing a phone is not considered texting. The governor signed the new bill into law and cited the reasoning as a public safety issue.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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