Police Target Construction Zone Cell Phone Use

A concerted effort by the Deerfield Police Department to reduce hand held cellular telephone use in the Lake Cook Road construction zone has resulted in an approximate doubling of tickets written.

Before the road work began April 15, police were issuing approximately 33 tickets a week to people talking on a hand held cellular device while driving, according to Deerfield Police Chief John Sliozis. Since the work started, the average has climbed to 68.

Earlier: Lake Cook Road Configuration Changes

“We have told our officers to focus on the use of (hand held) cell phones in the (Lake Cook Road) construction area,” Sliozis. Officers have parked their cars with a view of Lake Cook Road watching for violations.

Drivers exceeding the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit are also targeted but that violation only occurs when traffic is not at a standstill.

Deerfield officials have taken steps as well like adding signs warning of cell phone use, according to the Village's Project Manager John Guccione. Some of the construction workers have taken to some enforcement of their own.

”When they (construction workers) see people holding phones they say ‘you’re going to get a ticket,’” Guccione said. “They’re nice about it. They’re trying to help them.”

Police enforcement of the state law banning hand held cell phone use in school and construction zones adds to the congestion in the area, according to Guccione. It also makes it harder for the police to pursue violators.

“Patrolling the construction zone has its own set of challenges but it has not stopped us from issuing tickets,” Sliozis said. Guccione made it clear cessation of hand held cell phone use reducing police stops in the Lake Cook Road area will help ease traffic congestion a little.

The only other time Deerfield Police made a concerted effort to issue tickets for hand held cell phone use was the first week in April as part of an area wide effort by police departments in the northern suburbs.

That week 245 citations were issued. In addition to beefed up patrols around Lake Cook Road, the Village will make stepped up efforts both at the end of the current school and the start of the fall term.