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Community Corner

Illinois to pass hand-held cell phone use ban while driving. Anticipated to take full effect January 1, 2014.

Illinois, August 19, 2013:  Illinois State Lawmakers have begun the process of banning the use of hand-held cell phone devices while driving. The new law set in motion will take effect January 1st, 2014. While some municipalities such as Chicago already ban the use of talking on cell phones while driving, soon the entire state will require hands free devices.

Governor Pat Quinn signed the new law Friday the 16th of August.  Illinois is the twelfth state in the country to initiate the ban, and the first one in the Midwest to do it.  Drivers caught using their cell phones will face fines up to $75.00.  Texting while driving has already been banned in the entire state of Illinois, and drivers of any age caught doing so can receive citations and fines.

Texting while driving has already been banned in the entire state of Illinois, and drivers of any age caught doing so can receive citations and fines. These infractions will be enough to get a driver pulled over if a police witnesses them, making them primary violations.

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This bill doesn’t completely cut drivers off from using their devices while driving. Hands-free options like Bluetooth devices and speakerphones are safe under the bill, which also makes exceptions for two-way mobile radios, and for using a cell phone in an emergency. Handsfree will be working to provide any and all devices needed to safely equip Illinois drivers with the communications products they need to stay legal under this new law. Handsfree will be able to answer any questions drivers have about the best devices for their needs.

Headquartered in St. Louis, MO., Handsfree’s mission is to help clients manage their fleet more safely and efficiently by providing the right combination of high quality products and installation services. Our goal is to exceed client expectations and deliver an excellent service that provides real value.

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For more information, contact Claudia Russell at HandsFree at 888-999-3135 or check the website for our products at https://handsfree.us.com

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