Illinois Police Can Pull You Over For This Specific Thing Now

There's a slew of new laws in Illinois this year.

We all know you shouldn't drive distracted. That includes not eating stuff that's super difficult to consume with one hand on the wheel, not having a dog in your lap (literally saw it yesterday), and staying off your phone.

Granted, sometimes we need Google Maps to help our directionally-challenged selves, but driving isn't the time to be checking Insta or Facebook.

via GIPHY

That's why Illinois has passed a new law that could actually get you in trouble if police catch you doing it.

No Zoom, In More Ways Than One

Don't speed, obviously but also don't video conference. A new law that went into effect this year makes video conferencing illegal while you're driving. That same law also includes accessing a "social media site". Seriously that Facebook notification cannot be that important.

This is when, if you're on a Teams or Zoom meeting for work, you turn off the camera, yourself on mute, and put the phone in the cupholder. If you tune out during work meetings anyway, focusing on your driving and the idiot that didn't use their blinker shouldn't be much of a challenge.

If you're obviously on a Zoom call and going all over the road, you're likely to get pulled over.

But, like with many laws, there are exemptions.

You can use the device but it has to be "in hands-free or voice-operated mode or by pressing a single button to activate or terminate a voice communication". Illinois law says electronic devices in cars already have to have Bluetooth, and in that law, you have to be at least 19.

If you're caught not doing this, you could be fined $75 for a first offense in Illinois, $100 for a second, $125 for a 3rd offense, and $150 for a fourth or another offense. If you get busted for it 3 or more times within a year, you risk suspension of your driver's license.

Even though video conferences for work can suck, if you have to be on camera, make sure you're home or in an office first.