Can you get a ticket for using a map app while driving in Illinois? What to know
If you’re driving somewhere new in Illinois or just looking for the quickest way to get to your destination, you might be using a navigation app on your phone. But is it legal in Illinois?
The state has many laws related to distracted driving, including regulating the use of headphones behind the wheel, banning texting while driving and more.
Here’s what Illinois state law says about using navigation apps while driving.
Does Illinois law allow drivers to use map apps?
The legality of using a map app, GPS or other navigation device while driving depends on how you’re using it, Teri Ross, executive director of Illinois Legal Aid Online, told the News-Democrat.
“We’re a hands-free state,” Ross said.
If your navigation device is hands-free, such as a Bluetooth connection to your car’s dashboard that gives directions through your car’s sound system, that would not be illegal unless it takes your attention away from safely operating your vehicle, Ross continued.
Using a navigation app on your phone that requires you to use your hands would not be permitted.
“But even using hands-free technology is considered a distraction while driving and can be dangerous,” the Illinois Secretary of State’s office says.
Additionally, drivers who are younger than 19 years old may not use cell phones whatsoever, even if they are hands-free.
The only time drivers can legally use a cell phone that’s not hands-free in Illinois is when there’s an emergency and they’re contacting a law enforcement agency, health care provider or emergency services, while parked on the shoulder of a roadway or stopped due to traffic being obstructed with the vehicle in neutral or park.
Since it could be considered distracted driving to use your car’s touch screen to change your directions, Ross recommends making sure you have your destination set correctly before departing, and making sure to pay attention while driving. It’s important to keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.
Fines for using your cell phone while driving range from $75 to $150, Illinois Legal Aid Online reports. If the distraction causes an accident, it may result in higher fines, criminal charges and jail time.
How to avoid distracted driving in Illinois
Illinois State Police officials recommend drivers follow best practices to avoid being distracted, such as limiting interactions with passengers, avoiding talking while driving, avoiding taking your eyes off the road and keeping both hands on the wheel.
Common road distractions include texting, making phone calls, personal grooming, arguing with passengers, reaching for the glove compartment and eating or drinking.
In 2023, 3,275 people in the U.S. were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
While Illinois state law does not specifically ban pets from riding on the driver’s lap in the car, it can be a distraction. A bill proposing a ban on pets in drivers’ laps died in 2023, but it’s considered a best practice by pet safety experts and insurance companies alike to secure pets in the vehicle.
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