This law is stupid, and so far, completely unenforced

Another ridiculous, thinly veiled, way to intimidate the populace through selective enforcement of laws designed to pressure Defendants and generate revenue under the laughable guise of safety. Disgusting.

Area police have issued zero citations on the ban against using a handheld cellphone while driving since the new law went into effect a little less than two weeks ago.
However, the reasons for this might have little to do with motorists following the new rules and more to do with the recent winter storm and a surge in the purchase of hands-free accessories.
Illinois State Police District 7 Trooper Jason Wilson says the recent bout of bitterly cold temperatures, heavy snowfall and slick roadway conditions have been the prominent deterrent, forcing police to refocus their efforts from citation to protection.

“We move more to lifesaving and rescue tactics during severe weather,” said Wilson, who added extreme weather requires law enforcement to shift from a proactive mindset to a reactive one.
“We’re still enforcing the law, but we’re really trying to help motorists right now,” Wilson said.
Galesburg Police Department Lt. Russ Idle also attributes the lack of citations to police shuffling their priorities during the cold snap, but he feels motorists themselves have also had a hand in the number of violations.

“With hazardous weather, people tend to be a bit more cautious,” Idle said. “Obviously, we’re to be dealing with more life-safety issues, both of which can have an effect on discretionary enforcement.”
The number of citations so far in 2014 — or lack thereof — is a combined figure between the GPD and ISP District 7 in Moline. By comparison, both agencies issued just shy of 100 combined citations for distracted driving in 2013, including both talking and texting. ISP District 7 also issued 132 warnings in 2013 for distracted driving violations.

The newly-enacted law, passed last August, prohibits motorists from using a handheld cellphone while driving, be it talking, texting or other functions. First-time offenders will face a $75 ticket and motorists can see their license suspended after the fourth violation.

Despite weather conditions or the new law, some local motorists question whether the new law will actually alter people’s cellphone habits, or keep them from using the phone entirely. And some say they’ll continue talking no matter what.

Galesburg resident Janet Wallace says she will be one those who continue to use her phone behind the wheel. For her, opposition to the new law is less about safety and more about legislative and police intrusion.
“I think the government is too involved,” Wallace said. “If my phone rings and I’m going down the road, the new law is not going to stop me from talking.”
Wallace also questions how police can actually enforce the law and says she has seen a substantial number of drivers on the phone since Jan. 1.

But technology may also be playing a part in the figure of cellphone citations. For the ever-connected motorist, wireless devices such as Bluetooth offer a legal alternative to handheld use. The new law permits the use of wireless, hands-free devices while operating a vehicle.
Galesburg business owner Dave Dunn, who spoke to The Register-Mail via his Bluetooth while driving, says he’s slowly adjusting to this new method of communication and that using a handheld phone has been a hard habit to break.

Dunn also feels the law cannot respond to all aspects of distracted driving, including eating, radio use, passengers and other factors. But he says it’s a good place to start.
“The law doesn’t address everything, but it addresses something we can put our finger on,” Dunn said. “I know there have been numerous times when I’m driving along and checking a text and realized I’ve drifted toward the center line or the shoulder.”

And Dunn is not alone in turning to Bluetooth and wireless technology.
Chris Bersin, manager of the US Cellar at Seminary Square, saying keeping hands-free items in stock leading up to the Jan. 1 was a challenge.

“It’s been very hard to keep Bluetooth in the store,” said Bersin, who added other models of the device that clip to a car’s visor have also sold-out quickly.

“We’ve had extra supply shipped to stores,” Bersin said.

But Bersin also said the initial push for wireless gadgets has died down, and as the recent wintery blast passes, Wilson and Idle believe the zero-citation trend won’t continue.
“We’ll see what happens as the weather starts to improve and folks get back to their non-winter driving habits,” Wilson said. “I expect there will be some at that point.”


Read more: http://www.galesburg.com/article/20140112/NEWS/140119955/?tag=2#ixzz2qQJQXWnU