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Bill Would Harshen Penalties For Texting And Driving

Steven Damron
/
Flickr
If passed, the bill will allow law enforcement to issue a moving violation on a first offense.

Illinois lawmakers are moving ahead with legislation that would create harsher penalties for texting and driving.

If passed, the bill will allow law enforcement to issue a moving violation on a first offense. That carries a fine of $75 for the first violation. Current law only allows a ticket to be issued on the second or subsequent stops.

State Rep. John D’Amico, a Democrat from Chicago, also sponsored the original ban on texting and driving four years ago. He says everyone knows now that texting and driving is illegal.

“They don’t need to have a warning on their first stop. They can get a ticket. Bottom line is, we want to try to continue to make the roads in Illinois as safe as possible," D'Amico said.

If a driver receives three moving violations, their license could be suspended. The plan heads to the House floor for consideration.

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