Texting, driving

Here's a cautionary note to Missouri and other out-of-state drivers who travel highways in Illinois: If you text while you drive, you may be pulled over, ticketed and fined starting Jan. 1.

Illinois is one of several states that have some form of ban on texting while driving. In most cases, as in Illinois, police are authorized to stop a vehicle if the driver is believed to be texting.

The Illinois ban also applies to other computer devices such as PDAs and laptop computers. GPS navigation systems are exempt.

In addition, Illinois has taken a first step toward banning the use of cell phones while driving. Effective next year, it will be illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free device in school zones or highway construction zones.

Even most motorists who text say they realize what they are doing is potentially hazardous, but they do it anyway. The new Illinois law allows texting while in a vehicle only if that vehicle is pulled off the road and not in gear. Texting also is permitted when traffic is at a standstill, such as waiting at a train crossing.

Several Illinois newspapers have encouraged readers to stop texting now rather than waiting for the new law to take effect.