MEDILL NEWS SERVICE



DRIVER



Chicagoans, if you can believe the stats, are a law-abiding bunch.

Of the 3 million or so residents, about 76 percent -- 2.4 million -- are cell phone users, according to the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry.

Yet last year only 13,431 of them violated the ban on using hand-held cell phones while driving, according to figures from the Chicago Police Department. And this number includes secondary citations -- tickets issued after another citation, such as causing a car accident.

But maybe, just maybe, it's not that drivers are observing the ban but that police aren't issuing as many tickets as they could.

According to police officials, tickets for driving while talking on a cell phone, for which the fine is $50, are issued at the discretion of the officer.

"It's up to the police officer," Sgt. Eugene Mullins, a police spokesman, said. He added that just talking on the phone is enough for police to stop you, but it's discretionary, "Everything in terms of tickets is discretionary."

Ald. Burt F. Natarus (42nd) spearheaded the driver-cell phone ban that resulted in the ordinance taking effect in May 2005.

He said that talking on cell phones while driving can lead to accidents because the driver loses control, a result of not having both hands on the wheel.

Natarus is well aware that some say the ban is ineffective.  But he disagrees. He said it has made a difference.

"More people are conscious of it," he said. "I just think it should be on the books."

But some area residents, who did not want their last names used, say the ban is not working and that everywhere you look you see drivers on their cell phones. 

Dan, a 21-year-old who was in the Loop on Tuesday, said, "Out of five cars, at least two people are on the phone in their cars."

Another agreed: "It doesn't work," said Jonathan, who is 25.

A colleague of his, Natasha, 21, added, "If people don't put the earphone on before they start talking, it aint gonna happen."

And according to 22-year-old Nathalie, it really annoys her when people are on the phone: "I can always tell when someone is on the phone cause they drive like an idiot."

So perhaps the only way to avoid the temptation of talking while driving is to do as 65-year-old Robert does. "I have one built in the car, so I don't need to dial.  It's voice activated. It's expensive."

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