Illinois Department of Transportation Summer 2009 Traffic ... - Caution

NEW LEGISLATIONHB2649 - DUI Reckless Homicide: Amends theIllinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person is guiltyof a non-probationary Class 3 felony when the personis convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol,drugs or intoxicating compounds, and has previouslybeen convicted of reckless homicide or a similarprovision of law of another state in which the personwas determined to have been under the influenceof prohibited substances; or in committing a DUIviolation, the person was involved in a motor vehicle,snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or watercraft accidentthat resulted in the death of another person, when theDUI violation was a proximate cause of the death.HB2650 - Restitution DUI: Amends the Unified Codeof Corrections. Provides that in all convictions for drivingunder the influence in which the person received anyinjury or damage to his/her real or personal property asa result of the criminal act of the defendant, the courtshall order restitution.HB3705 - Neighborhood Vehicles: Amends the IllinoisVehicle Code. Provides that a person may not operatea neighborhood vehicle on a street, road or highwaywithout obtaining a certificate of title, registering thevehicle with the Secretary of State and obtaininga liability insurance policy covering the vehicle inaccordance with the mandatory insurance provisions ofthe Illinois Vehicle Code.HB3730 - Railroad Crossing Stop Signs: Amends theIllinois Vehicle Code. Provides that except where traincrews provide flagging of the crossing to road users,yield signs shall be installed at all highway intersectionswith every grade crossing in this state that is notequipped with automatic warning devices, such asluminous flashing signals or crossing gate devices.HB3777 - Automated Speed Enforcement: Amendsthe Illinois Vehicle Code, expands the definition of“automated traffic law enforcement system” froma device with one or more motor vehicle sensorsworking with a red light signal to record images ofvehicles entering the intersection against a red signal;also include a device used in a location with a highoccurrence of motor vehicle accidents and whereinsufficient police enforcement exists.HB3858 - Injured Pedestrian: Amends the IllinoisVehicle Code by adding an offense and dictating finesfor offenders who commit traffic violations and causeinjury to a pedestrian while within 500 feet of a school,church, child care facility or hospital. Provides that thesecond offense requires a $750 minimum fine and twoor more violations may result in the Secretary of Statesuspending his/her driver’s license for 90 days.HB3982 - Transport Students: Amends the IllinoisVehicle Code to prohibit the transportation of studentsin grades 12 or below in 15 passenger vans forinterscholastic, athletic or school sponsored events.Also requires this type of transportation be performed ina multi-function school activity bus, first division vehicleor bus operated by a public utility or a common carrier.Senate BillsSB0272 - No Phone in School Zone: Amends theIllinois Vehicle Code. States that regardless of age, aperson may not use a wireless telephone in a school,construction or maintenance speed zone unless theyare engaged in the construction or maintenance projectand using the phone in furtherance of that project.SB0273 - Electronic Communication Device:Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides a personmay not operate a motor vehicle while using anelectronic communication device to compose, send orread electronic messages.SB1467 - Speed Limit 65 MPH: Amends the IllinoisVehicle Code so that unless other speed restrictionshave been established, the maximum speed limitoutside an urban district for any vehicle is 65 miles perhour; removes language allowing the Department ofTransportation to alter speed limits on access-controlledhighways to exceed 55 mph for vehicles exceeding8,001 pounds.CAUTION!-Summer 2009 33