“Lake Zurich is on the cutting edge for targeting distracted drivers, and targeting use of cell phones in school zones and construction zones,” said John Gomoll, law enforcement liaison for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Gomoll presented the Lake Zurich Police Department and Sgt. Tracey Goodyear with an award for extra efforts related to distracted driving. Gomoll said those extra efforts help save lives.

“The best drivers among us are not safe if we’re northbound and they're soutbound, texting and not paying attention and coming into our lane,” he said.

Gomoll noted that for the first time in many years traffic fatality rates are going up and that is due to texting and distracted driving. 

Lake Zurich Village President Suzanne Branding also noted that September has been declared Texting and Driving Awareness Month by Gov. Pat Quinn. AT&T is urging all Americans to pledge to stop texting while driving  in its “It Can Wait” campaign. At&T is asking drivers to join with others Sept. 19 to make a lifelong commitment to never text while driving.

Texting and driving became illegal in Illinois in January 2010.