LEGISLATION

 

97th General Assembly

PROPOSED TRAFFIC SAFETY LEGISLATION

 

House Bills

HB.930 – Commercial Motor Vehicle Profiling
Amends the Criminal Code, Arrest Procedure section, prohibiting law enforcement from stopping, delaying or detaining commercial motor vehicles based on race, ethnicity, or sex of the driver or passengers without reasonable suspicion. Effective Immediately

HB.1984 – No Cell Phones 500ft Accidents
Amends the IVC providing no person may utilize a cell phone if operating a vehicle within 500ft of an emergency scene. Effective Immediately

HB.3849 – Bicycle Texting
Amends the IVC prohibiting individuals from operating bicycles while using electronic communication devices. Exemptions apply to bicycles stopped on the shoulder or hands-free/voice activated modes. Effective Immediately

HB.3945 – Restrictive Driving Permit
Strengthens the DUI penalties by making it more difficult for individuals receiving multiple DUI’s, leaving the scene or reckless homicide to receive driving relief. The bill focuses on the mandatory license revocation section (6-205), prohibiting SoS from issuing restricted driving permits to anyone receiving their second or third DUI/leaving the scene/reckless homicide.

HB.3972 – Electronic Communication Device- Engrossed-Amends the IVC providing no drivers may operate a vehicle on the roadway while using an electronic communication device unless in hands-free or voice activated mode. The amendment exempts drivers using two-way/citizens band radio services or two-way mobile transmitters/receivers for licensees under the Federal Communication Commission.

HB.4009 – Work Zone Cell Phones
Amends the IVC by expanding the prohibition of wireless telephone usage to any section of a highway undergoing a construction/maintenance project as opposed to an IDOT or local agency designated zone.

HB.4057 – School Bus Insurance Minimums
Legislation-Reduces the minimum amount of liability insurance required by individuals transporting children. First division vehicles are exempt until July 1, 2012 and the top liability amount for two or more persons is reduced from the current $5,000,000 to $3,000,000.
Effective Immediately

HB.4061 – School Bus Driver Diabetes
Amends the IVC prohibiting school bus driver permit applicants with a clinical diagnosis or established medical history of diabetes mellitus requiring insulin for stability.

HB.4583 – Paramedics DUI Test
Amends the IVC by removing certified paramedics from the list of those qualified to draw blood for alcohol testing in the State. Includes persons certified in “venipuncture” acting under the direction of a licensed physician may draw blood in efforts of determining blood alcohol content.

HB.4584 – Seat Belt Exemptions
Removes vehicles of the fire department, Office of Fire Marshal and ambulances from the exemptions to the safety belt law. Exemption does apply however to ambulances during life saving measures. Effective Immediately

HB.4598 – Slow Moving Emblem - Engrossed
Amends the IVC concerning slow moving emblems displays, allowed only on animal draw trailers, implements of husbandry and farm tractors; increases the fine from $25 to $75 for first offense. Effective Immediately

HB.4660 – Seat Belt Limos - Engrossed
Amends IVC adding passengers in the back seat of limousines to the list of exemptions in the new safety belt law. Effective Immediately

HB.4860 – CRSTP Liability
Bill creates a release of liability for land owners allowing a Cycle Rider Safety Training course to be held on their land.

HB.4994 – SoS Records Hearsay
Amends sections in the Criminal Code and Vehicle Code concerning the usage of data collected by a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) relating to the abuse of such device. Effective Immediately

HB.5099 – Accident No Cell Phones
Prohibits drivers from using cell phones within 500ft of an emergency scene; expands the definition of “electronic message” by prohibiting digital photographs within 500ft of an emergency scene. Effective Immediately

HB.5325 – Teen Driver Texting
Provides any person under 18, convicted of violating the Electronic Communication Device while driving section, shall have their license or permit cancelled by the SOS and may not issue a new license/permit for 6 months after cancellation or until such driver turns 18, whichever is longer. Effective July 1, 2012

HB.5349 – Intrastate CDL Medicals
Amends the IVC allowing transportation companies to employ drivers that are insulin dependent and otherwise would not be physically qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles under 49 CFR 391.41.

HB.5863 – Work Zone Speed Limits
Amends the IVC providing work zone speed limits are applicable only when workers are present. Also, applies the same prohibitions to wireless telephone usage regardless of worker presence.

Senate Bills

SB.952 – Automated Speed Enforcement
Amends the Red Light Running section of the IVC allowing local municipalities to report to the Secretary of State if and which vehicles fail to pay fines for violating this section of the Vehicle Code. Allows the SoS to refuse vehicle registration renewal of that individual until such fines are paid. The bill also expands the areas this enforcement can be used to Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will and municipalities within those counties. Effective July 1, 2012

SB.3493 – Seat Belt Negligence
Amends the IVC providing the offense of failure to wear a seat safety belt shall be considered evidence of negligence.

SB.3504 – Automated Enforcement Yellow
Amends the Red Light Enforcement by establishing a minimum yellow light standard plus one second. Requires the sequencing be evaluated by a third party and comply with National Television System Committee standards.

SB.3537 – Distracted Driving Ban
Amends the IVC by creating the offense of Distracted Driving. Violations of this section result from improper lane usage, failure to obey traffic-control devices or speeding while engaged in a “distracting activity”; which is defined as including but not limited to eating, applying cosmetics or illegally utilizing a wireless communication device while operating a vehicle.

SB.3663 – Accidents NO Cell Phones
Amends the IVC prohibiting usage of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle within 500ft of a construction/maintenance zone while emergency vehicles are present and audible/visual signals are being utilized.

 

 

 

~By Mason T. McDaniel, Legislative Coordinator-Division of Traffic Safety

 

 

 

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