Chicago is making a lot of money off of cell phone users behind the wheel of their vehicles. In 2010, Chicago reportedly made $2.2 million off of the people ticketed for using their cell phones without a hands-free device while driving. This is an increase of an amazing 73% in the data from 2006 when the law first took effect. In raw data, those ticketed by the Chicago police totaled 23,292 drivers according to the Chicago Tribune newspaper.
The tickets originally hit an offender for $50, but now the violation can be as high as $500 for a driver in the city. The Chicago Tribune report reveals that fighting the cell phone tickets can be frustrating for citizens as data shows that contesting a ticket can be futile at times and ultimately cost a person much more money.
Just like the red light cameras and the pending speed cameras which will write automated speeding tickets, officials say the tickets are all about improved safety throughout Chicago and not about the money being poured into the city’s revenue department.
Regardless of the officials’ claims regarding safety versus Chicago citizens’ hard-earned money, the benefits of $2.2 million to the city cannot be denied by anyone.
Source: Chicago Tribune
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