Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 based out of Effingham has announced that Lawrence County will be among the counties under the Distracted Driving Enforcement Program patrols coming in November.
The patrols will focus on distracted driving in order to prevent traffic deaths and serious injury accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 3,000 people are killed annually in crashes involving distracted driving and nearly 1 in every 10 accidents involving injury involved a distracted driver.
Officers will also be on the lookout for drivers who disobey Illinois' distracted driving laws.
-All drivers are prohibited from reading, sending, or receiving text messages or other communications
-All drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic communication devices.
-Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from any cellphone usage, even hands-free.
-All drivers are prohibited from using any cellphones while in school speed zones and construction work zones.
-School bus drivers are not permitted to use any type of cellphone.
The patrols are funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
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