Texting Citations on the Rise as Total Crash Rate Remains Steady

Have you noticed drivers texting behind the wheel? Skokie police have been monitoring texting while driving as it’s become a state law, and they’ve been catching the offenders.

“We have areas that we monitor,” Skokie Police Officer Tammy Jacobsen said. “… it’s normally around schools, safety zones, work zones. …for not just safety but also to make sure that parents are having their kids in car seats, as well as not texting or talking on a phone, which is illegal in those areas.”

Jacobsen said the increase in safety checks seems to be effective. In 2011, eight drivers were ticketed for texting while driving in Skokie. In 2012, 14 drivers were ticketed on the offense, and as of July 2013, five drivers have been ticketed.

The total number of traffic accidents in Skokie, however, has decreased. In 2010, the police department recorded 3,492 crashes. That number dropped to 3,147 in 2011.

In 2012, it remained fairly steady at 3,098, a reduction of 49 crashes. So far in 2013, there have been 1,826 crashes in Skokie. But Jacobsen said to keep in mind that many months still remain in 2013.

Jacobsen said that the ticket penalty of texting while driving varies and would be decided by the state judge.