Case Date:

9/8/2022

Greetings. In my experience, as well as observations, it does not appear that there is much, if any, enforcement of the Hands-Free Driving state law that went into effect in 2019 in the City of Bloomington. There also doesn't seem to be much accountability to that law as in my experience, the person who rear-ended me told the BPD officer she hit me because she was looking at her phone, but following too close was on the citation and not distracted driving. Why is that? I was told that he didn't want to put more than one reason down. Well, why not distracted driving as that is what she admitted to? Also, there doesn't seem to be any sort of a public safety education campaign in any way... I could imagine that the social media accounts would be a great place for a weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly Public Safety Announcement (PSA) for some friendly reinforcement, reminders, remedial lessons, etc. about the laws that provide structure around driving a couple ton heavy potentially lethal machine around these safe and civil streets. I think Bloomington motorists need a few reminders on some general laws about operating a motor vehicle, especially the hands-free driving state law. Can someone please speak a bit to this concern of mine? Much obliged for your time.