Texting While Biking? Don't Do It in Chicago -

On behalf of Clancy Law posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents

22
November
2011

In recent years, there have been concerted efforts to limit, ban and bring awareness to texting while driving. And for good reason, texting and driving is the most dangerous form of distracted driving. So far, much of the safety push has been to ban texting while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; however, the City of Chicago recognizes that texting is also a safety hazard when done by bicyclists.

The ban, which took effect in November 2011, forbids bicyclists from text messaging or talking on a cell phone without hands-free technology. Passed by the Chicago City Council without dissent, according to Huffington Post, the ordinance allows fines for violators of $20 for the first offense and up to $100 for three or more offenses. However, if texting bikers are involved in traffic collisions, the fine can be increased to $500.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists the three main types of driver distraction as visual (taking eyes off the road), manual (taking hands off the steering wheel) and cognitive (taking mind off driving), and texting involves all three types. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) statistics, drivers using hand-held devices were four times more likely to be involved in accidents "serious enough to injure themselves."

Whether distracted driving statistics for vehicle drivers are true for bicyclists isn't known, however, the fact that distracted driving is dangerous is commonly accepted. Accidents involving a distracted bicyclist can result in injuries to other bicyclists, pedestrians and even those riding in or driving automobiles. Injuries may include: