A City Council committee today unanimously passed a proposed ban on sending text messages while driving in Chicago.
The measure is likely to come up for a final vote at the Oct. 8 council meeting.
The new restriction, which also would cover using wireless devices to browse the Internet, builds on the 2005 rule against talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. Violators could face a $75 fine, with the penalty rising to as much as $200 if the violation "occurs at the time of a traffic accident."
The ban comes from a council that gained widespread notoriety for banning foie gras from restaurant menus, before reversing that prohibition a few months ago. The proposal's sponsor, Ald. Edward Burke (14th), also once pushed for an ordinance against serving foods with trans fats in chain restaurants.
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