SPRINGFIELD– Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) held a press conference today to acknowledge Distracted Driving Awareness Week and discuss the risks of distracted driving. She was joined by State Representative Anna Moeller, along with representatives from Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Police Association and AAA Chicago.

“Many people think texting one quick message while driving or taking their eyes off the road for a split second to change the radio is harmless,” Castro said. “We have to get the message across that this can be life-changing.”

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and last year Castro pushed Senate Resolution 322 to create an inaugural Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week. Now she is working to crack down on texting while driving by sponsoring House Bill 4846 through the Senate. House Bill 4846 would classify first-time offenses as moving violations.

Under current law, first offenses of texting and driving are treated as non-moving violations. With this bill a moving violation will be noted on the motorist’s driving record, along with fines and court costs.

“There are countless distractions while on the road,” Castro said. “It’s important that we do our best to educate and bring attention to this issue because the consequences can sometimes be deadly.”

For more information on what you can do to avoid distracted driving, check out the Illinois State Police webpage.