AAA Chicago Applauds Governor Quinn, Illinois Legislators for Keeping Roads Safe by Banning Texting While Driving

AURORA, Ill.--AAA Chicago applauds Governor Quinn and Illinois legislators for their commitment to keep Illinois roads safe by passing HB0071 into law, which bans text messaging while driving for all drivers. With the passage of this bill into law, Illinois joins thirteen other states and the District of Columbia to expressly prohibit texting while driving for all drivers.

“There are no two ways about it, texting takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off driving, which is a potent combination on the road,” said Brad Roeber, president of AAA Chicago. “We’re proud that Illinois continues to advocate for safe roads through the passage of this law.”

The data on texting while driving are clear. A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some type of driver distraction. According to the study, cell phone use – including texting – was one of the principal distractions that led to crashes.

The law carries the support of AAA members as well. A 2008 survey of AAA members across Illinois found that 92 percent of respondents support a law that bans texting while driving for all members. Furthermore, in the same survey, distracted driving was AAA members’ second biggest traffic safety concern, second only to drunk driving.

For 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation’s motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 50 million members in the United States and Canada.