Too many people still will not put down their cell phones while driving, according to Illinois State Police.
With tougher texting laws in place, state police say it’s important to know what you can and cannot do with your phone while driving.
When talking on the phone, Sgt. Joey Watson says you must be completely hands free, not just holding the phone.
If you’re using your phone for directions, “Even though the law allows you to use the phone in a GPS capacity, you still need to program it prior to getting on the roadway,” Watson said. “Before getting on the roadway, in the parking lot, you would make the corrections and updates, whatever it is you need, the entries, for the address and set it in that hands free cradle so that you’re not holding the phone.”
Even watching Netflix or You Tube on your phone while driving is definitely against the law, Watson said.
Watson said you need to be connected via bluetooth when talking on the phone.
“You’re seeing people who are still using the phones in their hands, even though they’re on speaker phone. It’s still a no-no. You need to be completely hands free,” Watson said.
Watson said you can also get a ticket for using your phone while stuck in traffic or sitting at a stoplight.
