Illinois Driver Cellphone Ban Campaign Begins

The state of Illinois has begun a public awareness campaign to remind drivers that all hand-held cellphone use is now illegal.

Under a law that took effect Jan. 1, Illinois drivers can only use speakerphones or headsets that feature voice-activated or one-digit dialing. Texting while driving was outlawed in 2010 in Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, between 2008 and 2012 there were nearly 6,000 crashes in Illinois in which police found drivers were distracted by some form of cellphone use. Thirty of them were fatal.

The campaign’s slogan is “Drop It and Drive.”

The Transportation Department is using posters, radio and TV ads, mailing inserts and roadway message boards.

People are also being encouraged to post the campaign logo on social media sites.