Texting and Driving in Illinois: A Deadly Combination

Texting and driving is a persistent and deadly problem on Illinois roads. Despite statewide bans, public service campaigns, and growing awareness of its risks, many drivers continue to text behind the wheel. This dangerous habit leads to thousands of preventable car accidents, injuries, and fatalities each year.

Texting while driving is a form of distracted driving—one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes nationwide. In Illinois, it’s not just dangerous; it’s also illegal. Understanding the law, the risks, and your options if you’re injured by a distracted driver can help keep you and your loved ones safe.

The Legal Framework in Illinois

Illinois Texting and Driving Law

Under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, Illinois prohibits drivers from using hand-held electronic communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. This includes texting, emailing, scrolling social media, and other types of data entry or reading from a phone or tablet. The law is part of a broader effort to combat distracted driving statewide.

Key points include:

• First offense: Treated as a non-moving violation, typically carrying a fine of $75.
• Subsequent offenses: Treated as moving violations with escalating fines:
  • Second offense: $100
  • Third offense: $125
  • Fourth and subsequent offenses: $150
• Three moving violations in 12 months can result in a driver’s license suspension under Illinois law.

Exceptions to the Law

While the law is broad, it includes limited exceptions:

• Use of hands-free technology (such as Bluetooth or voice commands).
• When the vehicle is parked on the shoulder of a roadway or stopped due to traffic obstructions, not just a red light.
• Emergency calls to police, fire, or medical personnel.
• Use of a GPS or navigation system.

However, even hands-free devices can contribute to cognitive distraction, which still impairs a driver’s reaction time.

The Impact of Texting and Driving

Illinois-Specific Statistics

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), distracted driving—including texting—was a contributing factor in more than 26,000 crashes in 2019 alone. These incidents led to thousands of injuries and contributed to numerous fatalities.

The Illinois State Police report that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash compared to those who are not distracted. And despite the known risks, nearly half of all Illinois drivers surveyed admitted to reading or sending a text while driving at some point.

National Trends and Data

On a national level, the consequences are just as severe:

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 3,308 people killed and 289,310 injured in distracted driving crashes in 2022.
• Among distracted driving activities, texting is considered the most alarming, as it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
• A driver traveling at 55 mph who looks at their phone for just five seconds travels the length of a football field blindfolded.
• Studies show texting while driving is six times more likely to cause a crash than drunk driving.

Young drivers are especially at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.

Why Texting While Driving Is So Dangerous

Texting while driving impairs a driver in three major ways:

1. Visual Distraction

Texting takes a driver’s eyes off the road, even if only momentarily. In that short time, conditions can change drastically—traffic can stop, pedestrians may step into the road, or a vehicle may swerve unexpectedly.

2. Manual Distraction

Typing or scrolling requires the use of at least one hand, and often both. This reduces the driver’s ability to steer, signal, or respond quickly in an emergency.

3. Cognitive Distraction

Even with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, a distracted mind isn’t fully processing what’s happening. Texting occupies mental focus, increasing the risk of delayed reaction time and poor decision-making.

Together, these factors make texting and driving one of the most dangerous activities on the road today.

Preventing Texting and Driving in Illinois

Combating texting and driving requires a multi-pronged approach, involving education, technology, and enforcement.

1. Public Awareness Campaigns

Organizations such as IDOT, AAA, and StopDistractions.org run ongoing campaigns to reduce texting and driving. Campaigns like:

• “Drive Now. Text Later.”
• “Drop It and Drive”
• National Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April)

These programs aim to educate drivers, particularly teens and young adults, about the serious consequences of distracted driving.

2. Technology-Based Solutions

Automakers and smartphone developers have introduced features to help prevent texting and driving:

• Do Not Disturb While Driving modes (Apple, Android)
• Hands-free calling and texting through voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant
• Apps like DriveSafe.ly or LifeSaver, which block incoming texts or restrict phone use while the vehicle is in motion
• Vehicle safety systems (e.g., lane departure warnings, auto braking) to reduce accident severity

While technology can be part of the solution, it can also be part of the problem. Using hands-free devices still diverts attention away from the road, particularly during complex driving tasks or emergencies.

3. Enforcement in Illinois

Illinois law enforcement agencies actively work to deter distracted driving through:

• Targeted patrols and unmarked vehicles to catch violators
• Participation in statewide crackdown initiatives, such as “Distracted Driving Awareness Week”
• Coordination with school districts and community groups for educational outreach

According to IDOT, enforcement and education together reduce crash rates more effectively than either strategy alone.

Civil Liability for Texting While Driving Accidents

When a driver causes an accident while texting, they may be found negligent under Illinois law. Victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement

In some cases, punitive damages may be pursued, especially if the driver acted with reckless disregard for others’ safety.

If you’re injured in a texting and driving accident in Illinois, it’s critical to consult an experienced Naperville car accident attorney. Gathering phone records, police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements can help prove that distracted driving caused the crash.

Contact the Top-Rated Naperville Car Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Texting and driving is not just a bad habit—it’s a life-threatening behavior that puts everyone on the road at risk. In Illinois, thousands of crashes every year are caused by distracted drivers, many of whom were looking at a phone instead of the road. The law is clear, the dangers are well documented, and yet the practice continues.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a texting driver, you have rights. At our Naperville personal injury law firm, we are committed to holding distracted drivers accountable and helping victims secure the compensation they deserve. Our team understands how to investigate these cases and build a strong claim backed by evidence. Contact us today for a free consultation.