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Politics & Government

Village Board of Trustees to Vote on Cell Phone Ban Monday

If passed, Deerfield drivers could begin receiving tickets in November.

A proposed ban on using handheld cell phone while driving in Deerfield could go into effect in November. Drivers could be fined $50 to $500 depending on a judge’s decision on the violation.

The Village Board of Trustees discussed an ordinance banning handheld devices while driving at their meeting Oct. 3. The board is expected to vote on it Oct. 17. Handheld devices already cannot be used in construction and school zones.

Earlier:

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Mayor Harriet Rosenthal said she plans to contact state representatives to ask them to promote a statewide ban on drivers using cell phones without hands-free devices.

“I think it’s much more enforceable when it comes from the state rather than the local government,” Rosenthal said.

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Deerfield Chief of Police John J. Sliozis said he could have his officers begin enforcing the ordinance as soon as it passes, giving drivers some time to become aware of the change in policy.

“We could make a decision as a department to tell our staff just to issue warnings for a period of time, except for extenuating circumstances,” Sliozis said.

November was proposed as a start to enforcement so that residents could be notified in the next issue of D-Tales. Village Manager Kent Street noted that the village would need to put up signage warning drivers about the ban.

“Each of those are custom signs, so each of those is not free,” he said.

Trustees also noted that while banning handheld cell phones may reduce accidents, they’re not the only issue.

“The problem is distracted driving, which includes hands-free cell phones,” said Trustee Tom Jester.

“All of the touch screen things that go with a navigation system are dangerous too,” Trustee Barbara Struthers said.

Highland Park’s City Council narrowly passed a similar ban June 1.

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