The Illinois cell phone ban for drivers is nearly a year old, and it is proving quite profitable for the state's coffers.
From January 2014 through November 2014, the Illinois Secretary of State's office says there were more than 30,000 first offenses. At $75 a pop, that means drivers forked over more than $2.3 million so far this year.
Rep. John D'Amico (D-Chicago) insists the law wasn't put it place for the money.
"This law was put in place to make the roads a little bit safer," he said, "whether it's reducing accidents or reducing fatalities."
While there are numerous factors that go into crash data, the latest snapshot from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows year-to-date traffic fatalities are down by 71 deaths (as of Dec. 8, 2014.)
D'Amico says it still will take time to get people to put their phones down, but overall he is satisfied with how the law is working. Making continued improper cellphone use a moving violation put teeth into the rule, he said.
"The law is actually working pretty well because people are hanging the phone up, especially after their first [police] stop," he said.
By the end of November, the Secretary of State's office reports there was only one ticket issued for a fourth offense.
Drivers are permitted to use speakerphones or headsets to make calls from behind the wheel. They may use their hands to make a call during an emergency.
Fine structure:
1st offense = $75 fine
2nd = $100 fine
3rd = $125 fine
4th and subsequent = $150 fine
Number of Offenses: (Jan. '14 - Nov. '14)
1st offense – 30,688
2nd offense – 348
3rd offense – 13
4th offense – 1
