No more 'phoney' excuses -- just keep your hands off

As June morphed into July, much of the talk and banter on social media has focused on new laws, new taxes and, of course, Chance the Clapper.

            Of particular interest, especially in Buffalo Grove-themed groups on social media, has been the enforcement by the Buffalo Grove Police Department of the change in the Illinois law that make using wireless devices while driving a moving violation.

            At issue, as much as there can be issues on social media, was the level of enforcement. However, the reality, however, is the law hasn’t changed, just the consequences.

            And with any change comes a plethora of interpretations, mostly by drivers who take seemingly take offense on social media to enforcement by the Buffalo Grove police.

            The law, and now the enhanced enforcement, are pretty clear as to what drivers can – and cannot – do with their wireless devices while driving.

            Rather than rely on social media posts, I checked with Sgt. Michelle Kondrat, who coordinates the Traffic Unit for the Buffalo Grove Police Department because, my guess was, that she would probably have more accurate information than some folks on social media. Again, it was just a hunch.

            According to Kondrat, the key is that a wireless device should not be in your hand.

            Period.

And this, Kondrat says, applies to when you are stopped at a stoplight as well.

Not in your hand.

No en tu mano.

не в твоих руках.

Aapake haath mein nahin.

Bùzài nǐ shǒuzhōng.

            But as sure as the sparrows come back to Capistrano and the buzzards to Hinckley, someone will try and find a loophole best known as an excuse.

            There aren’t any.

            What do exist are a few exceptions.  For example, if you are at a railroad crossing waiting for a train for an extended period of time, you can manipulate your device. However, according to Kondrat, your vehicle needs to be in park or neutral.  The same holds true where traffic is stopped for an extended period of time due to construction. Slow traffic in a construction zone is not a time to grab your cell phone.

            It is acceptable, although many people may not think advisable, to make adjustments to equipment that Kondrat says “integrated into the vehicle” or even in a windshield or dashboard mount.

            So, what results in a motorist getting pulled over? “Most of the contacts are the result of the vehicle moving with phone in driver’s hand,” Kondrat says.

            Still not sure?  Check out the  law as approved by the state legislature.

            It’s not a new law, just new penalties.