Rep. Manley Unanimously Passes Bill Honoring Victims of Reckless and Distracted Driving

On behalf of Bolingbrook constituents John and Cheryl Miller’s family, whose lives were forever changed in 2008 when their 5-year-old son Adam was killed in a distracted driving accident, State Rep. Natalie Manley’s (D-Joliet) bill to make the Roadside Memorial Act permanent passed unanimously out of the House this past Friday.

“We cannot change the past, but we can honor these individuals by placing memorial markers along our roads,” Manley said. “According to the Illinois State Police, distracted driving is a factor in more than one million crashes in North America annually, resulting in nearly 6,500 deaths and an economic impact estimated at nearly $40 billion per year. I understand the devastating impact these tragedies have on our communities, and I will continue to be an advocate for safe roads.”

The Roadside Memorial Act was created as a temporary two-year program to raise awareness about the dangers of distracting driving. Because of the program’s success, Manley’s bill, House Bill 1345, also known as Adam’s Law, will remove the expiration date and allow for the permanent opportunity of honoring victims of distracted driving through roadside markers. Markers and their placements must be approved and monitored by the Illinois Department of Transportation or the local governmental body.

“Extending the Roadside Memorial Act will not increase state or municipal spending because all associated costs are handled by the family member requesting the roadside marker,” Manley said. “This program will not be a financial burden on government, and it provides a formal and safe venue for keeping someone in our memories and increasing awareness of public safety.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Manley by email at RepManley@gmail.com or by phone at (815) 725-2741.