HR0113 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0113 LRB104 12040 ECR 22135 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Distracted driving is a contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities across the United States and the State of Illinois, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration {NHTSA) reporting 3,308 people killed in distracted driving crashes nationwide in 2022; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois alone, distracted driving contributes to thousands of traffic-related injuries and deaths annually; and

WHEREAS, Young drivers, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 19, are disproportionately affected by distracted driving, necessitating targeted education and intervention efforts; and

WHEREAS, Technological advancements and widespread use of smartphones and other devices have increased the prevalence of distracted driving, making it a critical public safety issue; and

WHEREAS, Sydney Daniel, founder of the Time to Turn Off platform, has impacted over 260 classrooms and over 6,000 students statewide through her distracted driving education curriculum, and her efforts include collaborations with Illinois State Police, Country Financial Insurance, and national organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and End Distracted Driving (endDD); her advocacy emphasizes driver safety and social media education, particularly for young drivers aged 15 to 19; and

WHEREAS, Initiatives like Time to Turn Off and partnerships with advocacy groups and State agencies demonstrate the importance of community involvement in reducing distracted driving; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month aligns with nationwide efforts to promote safe driving habits, to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving, and to encourage all citizens to take personal responsibility for their actions behind the wheel; and

WHEREAS, Heightened awareness during the month of April contributes to creating a culture of safe and responsible driving in Illinois, thereby reducing traffic accidents and saving lives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2025 as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage Illinois residents to use Distracted Driving Awareness Month as an opportunity to educate drivers of all ages on the dangers of distracted driving, to promote awareness campaigns through schools, workplaces, and community organizations, to encourage state and local law enforcement to continue enforcing distracted driving laws, and to highlight personal stories and testimonials of those impacted by distracted driving to inspire change; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.