With the start of the new year, Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law new legislation which further restricts the use of cell phones while driving and also creates greater fines for excessive speeding.

As of Jan. 1, drivers on Illinois roadways need to know it will be illegal to use cell phones in all roadwork zones. Currently, the law restricted cell phone use only in work zones with speed limits reductions. Also as of Jan. 1, drivers may not use a cell phone while driving within 500 feet of an emergency scene. As of Jan. 1, commercial drivers will no longer be allowed to use hand-held cell phones.

On Monday, Princeton Police Chief Tom Root said he absolutely supports the new laws which place tighter restrictions on the use of cell phones while driving.