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Group on mission to improve road safety

Gloria and Chuck Wilhelm are on a mission to change the laws in the Champaign-Urbana area and the rest of Illinois concerning the use of cell phones by vehicle drivers and other distractions to drive.

On Sunday, the Wilhelms talked about their efforts before a standing-room only crowd at Urbana City Hall, The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported Monday.

Matt Wilhelm, 25, was riding a bicycle on Illinois 130 just east of Urbana on Sept. 2 when a car hit him. The News-Gazette reported that the car's driver, Jennifer Stark, 19, of Urbana, was distracted by downloading ring tones onto her cell phone. Even though Matt was wearing a helmet, he died Sept. 8 of head injuries from the accident.

Stark pleaded guilty last month to improper lane usage and is set to be sentenced in late November. The maximum she can receive is a $1,000 fine.

The Wilhelms are pushing for passage of a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would raise the punishment for distracted drivers.

At the meeting, Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz said she will be asking the legislature to create a stronger law for what she termed "negligent vehicular homicide."

According to a draft of the proposed bill, a person would be guilty of negligent vehicular homicide if "while in the course of operating a motor vehicle, the person's negligent operation of such vehicle is a substantial cause of the death of another person."

"As a prosecutor, I need to have more tools," Rietz told the News-Gazette after the meeting. "The fact that all I can do is charge somebody with a 'fine only' offense is an insult to victims and their families."

Earlier in October, Urbana Alderman Charlie Smyth said he will propose a ban on cell phone use by drivers in Urbana in the wake of Matt's death. He elaborates on his stand on cell phones on his Web site.

The Wilhelms have created a site at CaringBridge.org paying tribute to their son, and they are writing a journal about him and their efforts to change the laws about distracted driving.

Labels: cycling

Roger 1 comments 9:57 AM

Comments:

Downloading ringtones. *sheesh*

I don't remember if I mentioned this before or not to you, but I lived in Champaign County for about eight years.

# posted by  Yokota Fritz : 2:36 PM

 

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