State Police holding Distracted Driving Enforcement Program in Central IL
According to State Police Troop 7 Commander, Heather Apperson, Champaign, Macon and Vermillion counties will all have the driving program conducted in them. This program lets State Police focus on distracted driving laws in an effort to prevent traffic deaths and crash injuries.
2-month-old baby killed in multi-vehicle Urbana crash
State Police said that distractions can increase a driver's chance of being involved in an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people each year are killed in crashes involving distract driving. Reading just one text can take a motorist's eyes off the road for an average of five seconds.
On top of this, nearly one out of every 10 injury crashes involve a driver that is distracted.
During the program next month, officers will be on the lookout for drivers who are not following state distracted driving laws. This includes the following:
Motorists are prohibited from reading, sending or receiving text messages or communication, video streaming and from browsing the internet.
Drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic communication devices.
Motorists under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any cell phone, including hands-free devices.
Drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone, even hands-free, while driving in school speed zones and work zones.
School bus drivers are not permitted to use any type of cell phone, including hands-free.
Motorists are prohibited to use cell phones or take photos or videos on wireless devices while driving withing 500 feet of an emergency scene.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is funding this program.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Over 100 bicycles, dirt bikes, and scooters seen entering and exiting Boston highways
Over 100 bicycles, dirt bikes, and scooters entered and exited highways in Boston this afternoon, prompting State Police to issue an air wing response. The group was first reported around 2 p.m. as they made their way into the O'Neil Tunnel on I-93 south via the Zakim Bridge. They initially exited the highway at Government Center but returned shortly thereafter. State Police encountered the group in the area of D Street and Summer Street, where a dirt bike collided with a cruiser. The operator fled on foot, and the bike was identified as stolen. Troopers then arrested a different individual, a 22-year-old, on a different dirt bike at the scene of the crash. He is expected to face charges including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The State Police Air Wing has been deployed to monitor the group, which remains active in and around Boston. Authorities advise the public not to engage with the group if encountered on public roadways. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Woman arrested, charged with reckless driving following high-speed pursuit in Concord, NH
A Merrimack woman was arrested following a high-speed pursuit in Concord, New Hampshire, late Friday night. Heather Lewis, 34, was taken into custody after crashing her SUV into a State Police cruiser. The incident began at 11:37 p.m. on August 15, 2025, when a Trooper from the Troop D barracks observed a black 2012 Toyota RAV4 traveling at 93 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 93 northbound with no lights on. The Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply, leading to a pursuit. During the chase, Lewis drove through a steel metal gate blocking off a class VI road and continued through a field on private property. The pursuit concluded when Lewis crashed the Toyota into a State Police cruiser. Lewis faces multiple charges, including: reckless conduct resisting arrest criminal mischief reckless operation disobeying a police officer speeding over 25 mph above the limit operating without lights. She is being held on preventive detention until her arraignment, scheduled for Monday, August 18, in Concord District Court. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Vehicle catches fire on I-90 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
An SUV caught fire Saturday morning on Interstate 90 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. It happened just before 7 a.m. on the outbound I-90 near Golf Road. The Illinois State Police said they closed down three left lanes as smoke poured from the SUV in the median. At one point, the flame's heat burst the tires. A person was also seen running away from the vehicle. No injuries were reported. State police did not say what caused the fire. Fire crews were able to put out the blaze, and all lanes reopened around 7:45 a.m. No further information was immediately available.
