TRAFFIC SAFETY

Aggressive, Distracted and Drowsy Driving

Distracted and Drowsy Driving

One of the greatest hazards of roadway driving is drowsiness or distraction. Lack of sleep, fatigue or inattentiveness affects your ability to safely drive your vehicle. When taking a long trip, avoid drowsiness by stopping frequently to drink coffee, exercise or nap. Exercise your eyes by reading road signs or shifting the focus of your eyes to different parts of the roadway. Make sure you are properly rested.

Illinois law prohibits sending or reading electronic communications (text messages) while driving and also prohibits the use of wireless/cell phones in construction/road maintenance zones and school zones.

Local municipalities may govern whether wireless/cell phone use is permitted, regardless of the location or the driver's age. If you do use a wireless/cell phone, take the following precautions:

• Always assess traffic conditions before calling.
• Be familiar with the phone's keypad — use speed dial if possible.
• Place calls when stopped, or have a passenger dial.
• Make sure the phone is within easy reach.
• Use a speaker phone/hands-free device.
• Avoid intense, emotional or complicated conversations.
• Avoid talking on the phone in congested traffic or bad weather.
• Pull off the road to dial or complete a conversation.

Illinois drivers are prohibited from text messaging while driving except if you are:

• Reporting an emergency situation.
• Using the device hands-free or in voice-activated mode.
• Parked on the shoulder of a roadway.
• Stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property. Persons doing any of the following may be committing acts of aggressive driving and pose risk of a crash:

• Speeding
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Tailgating
• Passing on the shoulder of the road
• Cutting off another vehicle
• Slamming on brakes in front of a tailgater
• Improper hand or facial gestures at other drivers
• Yelling
• Repeatedly honking the horn
• Repeatedly flashing the headlights

Avoid aggressive drivers and potentially dangerous situations. If you encounter an angry or aggressive motorist:

• Do not retaliate or in any way engage the other driver. Get out of the way.
• Do not make eye contact.
• Keep your doors locked and your windows up.
• Keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to pull out from behind.
• Do not underestimate a driver's potential for aggression.