Last night, for the second time in the past week, our eyes and attention were diverted from the big screen during a movie we paid to see by someone unashamedly using their cell phone. Although we resisted a nearly overpowering urge to ask the person who felt so compelled to text or twitter or update their Facebook page with (one imagines) a fetal review of Midnight in Paris that they couldn't even wait until the movie finished exactly where they acquired a mobile device with what was obviously an eight-digit candlepower display, we can't help but get a little Andy Rooney on the subject now. more ›

Since two new laws went into effect banning talking on cell phones while driving through construction and school zones, and texting while driving, the Illinois State Police has pulled over nearly 7,800 motorists for violating the two laws. more ›

We've been following the recent proposal to ban texting and web surfing while driving and now it's official: the city council unanimously approved the ban yesterday. You'll be allowed to do so only while your car is in park. Tickets will be $75 for a violation and $200 if the violation results in an accident. Hey! A local ordinance we actually support! Who knew? more ›

As we mentioned earlier, the city is getting totally down with text messaging. Just don't read those messages while you're driving, and hells to the no should you ever respond to them, especially if Alderman Burke's proposal to make doing so illegal passes the city council. He wants to ban text messaging and surfing the internet on mobile devices a crime while driving within the city limits. Now this is the point where we would usually say something snarky about curtailing our freedoms or bold attempts to fatten the city's coffers, but we have to admit it's actually a good idea. [S-T] more ›

. To the Sun-Times and the Tribune: more ›

According to CBS2, Secretary of State Jesse White is planning to propose a ban on texting while driving. Chicago's ban on talking on a cell phone on the road took effect three years ago, but law enforcement officials feel that it needs to be tightened in response to the dramatic increase in text messaging. more ›