With the rise of technology, almost everyone has a computer in their pocket these days -- their cell phones. While these handy devices can make life easier for us, they have also proven to make life more dangerous. In an effort to prevent drivers from using their electronic devices while driving, a new Illinois law that will take effect in July will increase the consequences that drivers will face when caught using an electronic device while driving. This new law will make a first-time offense of using an electronic device while driving a moving violation, rather than just a warning.

New Law Changes Penalties for First-Time Offenders

Before the new law was enacted, the Illinois Vehicle Code stated that drivers needed to be caught using an electronic device while driving at least twice before any disciplinary action would be taken against them. Under the new law, drivers only need to be caught using an electronic device once before they are issued a ticket for a moving violation. Beginning in July of this year, first-time offenders who use an electronic device while driving will see the infraction on their driving record. If drivers commit the offense more than three times in a 12-month period, they will face a driver’s license suspension. In addition to the violations, they will also face fines as follows:

• First offense: $75
• Second offense: $100
• Third offense: $125
• Fourth or subsequent offense: $150

Scope of the Problem

Though various governments and state police officers across the nation have been cracking down on distracted driving, it still remains an issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed as a result of distracted driving in 2016, and nearly 400,000 people were injured by distracted driving accidents in 2015. The handheld use of electronic devices has decreased, but the NHTSA states that using an electronic device in any way while driving increases your risk of crashing by 3.6 times.

Contact a DuPage County Traffic Violations Attorney

Though a first-time offense of driving while using an electronic device is now a moving violation, it can easily become a misdemeanor or felony if you cause someone else great bodily harm or death because of a crash. At the Davi Law Group, LLC, we understand the gravity of distracted driving violations. Our skilled Wheaton, IL traffic violations lawyers can help you form a solid defense against any traffic charges you may face. Call our office today at 630-580-6373 to schedule a free consultation.

There is a multitude of reasons you can have your driving privileges taken away from you -- being convicted of a DUI, not paying your traffic tickets, not showing up in court and not paying child support are just a few ways you can have your license suspended or revoked. Whatever the reason, driving while your license is suspended or revoked is a bad idea. It can lead to even more trouble, like hefty fines and in some cases, jail time. Being caught driving while your license is suspended or revoked can also make it more difficult to have your license reinstated and may even increase the amount of time that your license is suspended or revoked.

First Offense

According to Illinois law, a person who is caught driving with a suspended or revoked license will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense. You will face a mandatory sentence of 10 days in jail or 30 days of community service and fines of up to $2,500. If you were driving on a suspended license, your license will be suspended for double the original suspension period. If you were driving on a revoked license, your license will be revoked for an additional year.

Second Offense

If you are caught driving on a suspended or revoked license a second time, you will be charged with a Class 4 felony. This means you will face a minimum of 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service. You will also face a suspension of your driving privileges for double the original suspension period or an additional year added to your revocation period. A second offense can also result in your vehicle being seized or forfeited. If your first suspension or revocation of your driver’s license was for charges such as reckless homicide, DUI, refusing a chemical test or leaving the scene of a crash, you will be charged with a Class 2 felony.

Have You Been Caught Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License? A Wheaton, IL Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

Nobody likes having their driving privileges taken away from them. Though your life becomes difficult after your license has been suspended or revoked, your life will be even more difficult if you are caught driving during your suspension or revocation period. At the Davi Law Group, LLC, we understand how suspended or revoked licenses can affect your everyday life. Our experienced DuPage County license suspension lawyers can help you mitigate any charges that you may be facing for driving on a suspended or revoked license and our knowledgeable driver’s license reinstatement lawyers can help you get back behind the wheel as soon as possible. Call our office today at 630-580-6373 to schedule a free consultation.

During a recent four-year period, there were more than 4,500 motor vehicle crashes in Illinois roadway work zones, with nearly 1,100 injuries and 27 deaths. With those unfortunate statistics, you can see why the State of Illinois and law enforcement take construction zone traffic violations so seriously.

Getting pulled over for excessive speed or texting on your phone in a work zone can prove costly, and put your driving privileges in jeopardy if you have previous infractions on your driving record. Here is a look at what you could face if convicted of a work zone speed limit or phone violation:

Speeding in Illinois Construction Zones

Many drivers incorrectly believe construction zone speed limits only apply if workers are present. The truth is, motorists account for 90 percent of all work zone fatalities, and these limits are primarily posted for the safety of drivers and passengers, typically due to narrow lanes, lane reductions, and edge drop-offs. Traveling at a slower speed gives a driver more time to adjust to these conditions.

Construction zone speed limit signs can be identified by the orange “WORK ZONE” tag atop the standard black-and-white sign. Flashing lights are not required on these signs in Illinois.

Sometimes even the most cautious drivers get pulled over for speeding. You might think a solo speeding violation is no big deal, but that is not always the case. Multiple traffic violations, and even one serious violation, can lead to a suspension of your driver’s license that can negatively impact much of your life.

Here is how a speeding ticket in Illinois works:

Driver’s License Points

Drivers under 21 years of age may lose their license for getting two or more tickets in a two-year period. Drivers over 21 receive an automatic license suspension for three moving violations within 12 months.

It is illegal to text and drive in most states, including Illinois. Many drivers continue to use their cell phone while driving even though we all know better. Multitasking drivers are often identifiable by their weaving driving pattern, hesitation at traffic lights, and their tendency to stare into their laps. Although these indicators frequently mean the driver is texting and driving, they are often not enough evidence to prove guilt. Many Illinois residents wonder, “How do they know if I am using my cell phone?”

One Hand on the Steering Wheel

When police watch for drivers illegally using their cell phone, they often look for how many hands are on the wheel. In driver’s education, they always teach to keep two hands on the steering wheel, at “10 and 2.” This hand-positioning allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle at all times; however, not many drivers obey this rule of thumb. Even though one-handed driving is prevalent, it still causes watchful officers to judge the placement of your other hand.

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