Cell phone use in school zones is a no-no

Drivers can't use cell phones in school zones. That was the message Sarah Jerome, superintendent of Arlington Heights Elementary District 25, wanted to spread on Thursday, the first day of school.

"I observe at the end of a school day many, many parents are picking up children. Many are on cell phones, and we have the road traffic as well," she said, pointing to a new state law that bans their use.

Jerome said she couldn't point to any children injured because of cell phone use near schools, but "If we can appeal to everyone to be as alert and as safe as possible and put away any distractions, I think we'll all be safer."

She said she is concerned about the safety of children crossing streets as well as those walking through school parking lots that have moving cars.

Rep. John D'Amico, a Democrat from Chicago's 15th District who sponsored the Jan. 1 ban on cell phones in school and construction zones, said Thursday that safety on the roads is a priority of his.

He said school parking lots are included in the cell phone ban. Use is prohibited only on school days when children are present. Hands-free phones are allowed, and any phone can be used when the car is in neutral or park.

Violating the law is a moving violation, said D'Amico, and fines start at $75 and can be higher at the discretion of the judge.

The village of Arlington Heights and the school district made sure all schools were posted with School Zone signs before schools opened, said Jerome.

The National Safety Council, based in Itasca, has called for cell phone use to be outlawed for all drivers everywhere.

Legislators, while trying to protect schoolchildren, are reluctant to take away what they perceive to be a liberty, said John Ulczycki, group vice president of research, communications and advocacy for the safety council.

"A driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to have an accident - whether the phone is hands free or hand held. But no state or city has totally banned all cell phone use," said Ulczycki.

Records do not show how many accidents in school zones or elsewhere involved phone use, he said.

Observational studies show 11 percent of drivers are using cell phones at any one time, said Ulczycki. More than 50 scientific studies have determined that using cell phones cuts down on what a driver sees, as well as reaction time.

"It's not where your hands are, it's where your head is," said the safety council spokesman.