The next time your cell phone rings while driving through Park Forest, you may not want to pick it up.
At least not without a hands-free device.
At the Park Forest Board of Trustees meeting of May 10, officials voted unanimously to adopt a measure that makes using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle illegal. Motorists who violate the ordinance will face a fine of $25.
Prior to voting on the ordinance, Board Members used the final discussion to offer a few reminders to residents on what the ordinance means and why the action was being taken.
“For the public, this will mean we will not be able to compose, send or receive text messages, talk on a phone without a hands free device, use a cell phone to browse the internet...we may use the phone for texting, talking or other purposes if the car is stationary or parked,” said Trustee Gary Kopycinski.
Police Chief Tom Fleming says the citations won't impact the driving record of motorists.
“If a citation is ever issued, it’s a parking ticket type. It doesn’t affect drivers license or insurance.”
Mayor John Ostenburg says the ordinance is designed to protect the innocent people who are injured as a result of distracted drivers.
“All you have to do is hear one horror story of somebody who has been injured by this and I think you begin to realize that this is not a matter of personal freedom. This is not intruding on the personal freedom of any individual. Any individual has all the freedom in the world to use their cell phone….they just shouldn’t do it when they’re behind the wheel of a vehicle and that vehicle is moving.”
Watch the video: Using a cell phone while driving banned in Park Forest
