Distracted-driving bill clears Senate committee

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to add distracted driving to the list of traffic safety issues taught in driver's education classes won unanimous approval in a Senate committee on Wednesday.

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Gifford, said SB 1557 was a response to the death of 25-year-old bicyclist Matt Wilhelm, who was struck and killed by a teen driver who ran off the road while downloading ring tones for her cell phone.

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