North Shore Police to Crack Down on Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving

Do you drive with one hand and hold your cell phone with the other? You might want to switch to hands-free cell phone use while driving. 

Starting April 1, Winnetka Police Department will join forces with other North Shore police departments to step up enforcement of the local ordinance that prohibits hand-held cell phone use while driving, exemptions are made for reporting police, fire or medical emergencies, according to a press release. 

Police will also be conducting education activities and urging residents to contact their State Representative or Legislator to implement a statewide ban of hand-held cell phone use while driving. 

The National Safety Council estimates that 1.3 million traffic crashes each year involve the use of a cell phone, according to the press release. 

The other North Shore police departments taking part in the initiative are Highland Park, Deerfield, Lake Forest and Waukegan.