Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a press release regarding several important traffic laws that took effect for 2013. IDOT places an emphasis on public safety and is heavily involved in a number of initiatives to keep public roads and highways in Chicago and throughout the state free from preventable accidents. For 2013, IDOT announced three important pieces of legislation local motorists should be aware of when venturing onto public roadways. These traffic safety laws include:
Senate Bill 2488 – Cell Phone Use
SB 2488 prohibits cell phone use in construction zones and maintenance speed zones, regardless of the posted speed limit. Drivers are still allowed to use hands-free devices when using their cell phones. Under previous laws, speed limits had to be lower than posted limits in order for an area to be considered a work or construction zone. Now, cell phone use – with the exception of hands-free use – is prohibited in all work and construction zones, no matter the speed limit.
House Bill 5101 – Texting While Driving
Illinois now explicitly prohibits drivers of commercial motor vehicles from texting or using a hand-held cell phone behind the wheel. The law applies to drivers of freight bearing commercial vehicles and passenger carrying commercial vehicles.
Senate Bill 3409 – Moving Vehicles After an Accident
SB 3409 allows drivers who have been involved in auto accidents resulting only in vehicle damage to move their vehicles off the highway and to the closest safe location, such as an exit ramp shoulder, frontage road, or nearby cross street. The goal behind this law is to reduce the risks of accidents occurring when vehicles involved in an accident obstruct traffic.
IDOT announced that law enforcement officers throughout the state will be enforcing these new laws, in addition to the existing traffic and drunk driving laws currently in place. Unfortunately, however, not all motorists will obey them.
If you or someone you care about has been injured by a driver who acted negligently or failed to abide by the law, you have the right to pursue a recovery of your losses by a filing a personal injury claim. During these difficult experiences, you can turn to a Chicago car accident attorney from Duncan Law Group to provide you with the sincere support and experienced representation you need to obtain full and fair compensation. Contact our firm to learn more about your claim and how a lawyer from Duncan Law Group can help.