April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White urging agencies to monitor the public to ensure they are focusing on the road while driving. 

Secretary of State spokesperson Henry Haupt says increased use of technology has led to increased distracted driving. 

Secretary White instructs the Secretary of State Police to conduct targeted patrols statewide cracking down on distracted Drivers. 

Illinois laws prohibit the hand-held use of cell phones and electronic devices in vehicles unless drivers are reporting an emergency or while the vehicle is parked. 

Texting and driving is considered one of the most deadly forms of distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accounts for over 3,100 motorist deaths in 2019 – roughly 15 percent of all crashes. 

The NHTSA also says sending or reading a text while driving essentially leaves the driver blind for the length of a football field.