Community Corner

By the Numbers: Evanston Cell Phone Violations

Evanston police have issued over 7,000 tickets for cell phone violations since March 2010.

Have you noticed your fellow drivers gabbing on the phone or even texting from behind the wheel? Evanston police have, and they’re not letting it slide.

“Cell phone usage while driving is a common violation and … our enforcement has increased each year,” said Cmdr. Jason Parrott.

Since Evanston enacted an ordinance in March 2010 banning the use of handheld mobile phones while driving police have issued over 7,000 tickets for cell phone violations. Drivers who are caught using handheld cell phones may be cited for violation of the ordinance and issued a ticket for $50, according to Parrott.

Find out what's happening in Evanstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police collected over $90,000 in ticket revenue based on violation of the ordinance in 2012. They have already collected over $56,000 this year.

The tickets issued for cell phone use do not distinguish between talking or texting while operating a vehicle, but Parrott said drivers should be hands-free while talking on the phone, and they should wait until they park their cars before texting.

Find out what's happening in Evanstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cell phone usage while driving is a hazard in every city, but with Evanston’s active population, it could be an even bigger concern, Parrott said.

“Evanston is a very congested city. It’s congested with traffic. We have pedestrians. We have bicyclists,” Parrott continued. “Looking away for just that split second to use your phone is creating a very dangerous potential safety hazard.”

But, from 2009 to 2012, motor vehicle crash rates have dropped by 17% and related injuries have reduced by 14.5%. Parrott said there were many factors that could contribute to the recent reduction in the number of accidents. That includes, in addition to penalties for distracted driving, education, enforcement, additional signage and enforced seatbelt usage.

Parrott said that traffic safety has always been a part of the Evanston Police Department, as the police department won first place for the traffic safety challenge by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2011 and have also been awarded by the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association for various places in the Traffic Safety Challenge.

Even decades ago, traffic safety was important in Evanston. Parrott said that in the 1930s, a retired Evanston Police Lieutenant started what is now Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.

There is no statewide ban in Illinois, but it is illegal to use a cell phone in school and construction zones statewide, according to Parrott.

Parrott said there has been some talk about a statewide ban, which could lessen the effect of distracted driving. He said many people who drive through Evanston are not Evanston residents and may not know of the ordinance, which may contribute to continued violations.

“I think that people are going to become more aware when there’s a state law, there’s a lot more education,” he said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here