SB0125: VEH CD-CANNABIS IN VEHICLE

Legislative Summary

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the Secretary of State to include in the Illinois Rules of the Road publication and in adult driver education courses information advising drivers of the laws and best practices for safely sharing the roadway with bicyclists and pedestrians. Provides that advising drivers of the laws and best practices for safely sharing the roadway with bicyclists and pedestrians the examination to test an applicant's ability to read and understand official traffic control devices and knowledge of safe driving practices and the traffic laws of the State may be administered at a Secretary facility, remotely via the Internet, or in a manner otherwise specified by the Secretary of State in administrative rule. Allows the Secretary to destroy a driving record created 20 or more years ago for a person who was convicted of an offense and who did not have an Illinois driver's license if the record no longer contains any convictions or withdrawal of driving privileges due to the convictions. Provides that an offense committed on a military installation may affect whether a person's license is revoked, suspended, or restored. Removes language providing that a driver's license or registration and nonresident's operating privilege shall remain suspended and shall not be renewed nor shall any license or registration be issued to a person until: 2 years have elapsed following the date the driver's license and registrations were suspended and evidence satisfactory to the Secretary that during the period no action for damages arising out of a motor vehicle crash has been properly filed; and after the expiration of 5 years from the date of the crash, the Secretary of State has not received documentation that any action at law for damages arising out of the motor vehicle crash has been filed against the person. Provides that the Secretary shall compile a list of all securities on deposit for one year since the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (rather than for more than 3 years). Provides that traffic lights shall indicate and apply to bicyclists. Allows bicyclists to proceed across the roadway in the direction of a walk or walking person symbol and shall be given the right of way by the drivers of all vehicles and shall yield the right of way to all pedestrians. Restricts a bicyclist from starting to cross the roadway in the direction of a don't walk or upraised palm symbol. Provides that the operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall, if another lane of traffic proceeding in the same direction is available, make a lane change into another available lane with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law, before overtaking or passing the bicycle. Prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle on a pedestrian or bicycle lane, trail, or path designated by an official sign or marking for the exclusive use of bicycles or pedestrians. Allows the Secretary to suspend the driving privileges of and issue a fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service to a driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle that enters a highway rail grade crossing without sufficient space on the other side of highway rail grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle being operated without obstructing the passage of a train or other railroad equipment using the rails. Makes other and conforming changes. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the driver education course shall also include information pertaining to the best practices for safely sharing the roadway with bicyclists and pedestrians. Effective immediately.