Texting While Walking Ban Proposed In Illinois
Pedestrians Could Be Fined $25 If Bill Becomes Law
CHICAGO -- As Illinois secretary of state, Jesse White's usual domain consists of licensing drivers, registering corporations and publishing the state's blue book manual. But he recently turned his attention to people walking across the street in addition to those in automobiles.
According to an article on WBBM Radio's Web site, White wants the state to pass a law prohibiting people from walking across the street while using a cell phone. A bill along those lines has already been introduced in the Illinois House.
White told WBBM he still wants the state to pass restrictions on drivers using cell phones, but he also wants a ban on texting or talking on the street in the state's larger cities.
State Rep. Ken Dunkin introduced House Bill 4520 on Jan. 17, which would make it a petty offense for a person crossing any street in the state to use a cell phone at the same time. If the bill is passed, a person caught could be fined up to $25. The bill is currently in committee. Dunkin has received criticism for introducing the bill, WBBM reported. White said he wants a similar law to focus only on large cities in the state.
It is already illegal to talk on the phone while driving in Chicago, unless the driver uses a hands-free device. The rest of the state does not have such a law.
Pedestrians Could Be Fined $25 If Bill Becomes Law
CHICAGO -- As Illinois secretary of state, Jesse White's usual domain consists of licensing drivers, registering corporations and publishing the state's blue book manual. But he recently turned his attention to people walking across the street in addition to those in automobiles.
According to an article on WBBM Radio's Web site, White wants the state to pass a law prohibiting people from walking across the street while using a cell phone. A bill along those lines has already been introduced in the Illinois House.
White told WBBM he still wants the state to pass restrictions on drivers using cell phones, but he also wants a ban on texting or talking on the street in the state's larger cities.
State Rep. Ken Dunkin introduced House Bill 4520 on Jan. 17, which would make it a petty offense for a person crossing any street in the state to use a cell phone at the same time. If the bill is passed, a person caught could be fined up to $25. The bill is currently in committee. Dunkin has received criticism for introducing the bill, WBBM reported. White said he wants a similar law to focus only on large cities in the state.
It is already illegal to talk on the phone while driving in Chicago, unless the driver uses a hands-free device. The rest of the state does not have such a law.