Chicago sued over ban on talking and driving

Chicago has been tagged with a lawsuit alleging the city violated state law by not posting signs on the prohibition against talking on mobile phones while driving.
The suit, filed by lawyer Blake Horwitz on behalf of man who successfully challenged a ticket for an alleged violation, is seeking about $2 million in refunds to drivers fined for violating the city’s ban on the use of handheld cellphones while driving. The law became effective in July 2005.
“The focus is about the application of the (handheld) law, not whether it’s a good idea to have the law,” said Horwitz. Horwitz said he’s won most of the 100 suits he has filed against the city.
The office of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, the District of Columbia, Chicago and other cities have bans on the use of handheld cellphones while driving. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting the use of wireless devices by teen drivers.
California recently outlawed the operation of all electronics devices-including hands-free wireless accessories-by teen drivers.