Bill Text: IL SB1251 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the driver of an ambulance or rescue vehicle may proceed past a red traffic control signal or stop sign if the ambulance or rescue vehicle is making use of both the audible and visual signals meeting the required, but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-08-04 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0484 [SB1251 Detail]
Download: Illinois-2023-SB1251-Chaptered.html
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| Public Act 103-0484 | ||||
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AN ACT concerning transportation.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 1. This Act may be referred to as the Donald (DJ) | ||||
Stallworth, III Act.
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Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by | ||||
changing Section 11-1421 as follows:
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(625 ILCS 5/11-1421) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1421)
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Sec. 11-1421. Conditions for operating ambulances and | ||||
rescue vehicles.
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(a) No person shall operate an ambulance or rescue vehicle
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in a manner not conforming to the motor vehicle laws
and | ||||
regulations of this State or of any political subdivision of | ||||
this State
as such laws and regulations apply to motor | ||||
vehicles in
general, unless in compliance with the following | ||||
conditions:
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0.5. The operator of the ambulance or rescue vehicle | ||||
shall have documented training in the operation of an | ||||
ambulance or rescue vehicle prior to operating that | ||||
vehicle. This training shall include the proper use of | ||||
warning lights and sirens, situations where warning lights | ||||
and sirens are warranted, and the provisions of this | ||||
Section. | ||
1. The person operating the ambulance shall be either | ||
responding to a
bona fide emergency call or specifically | ||
directed by a licensed physician
to disregard traffic laws | ||
in operating the ambulance during and for the
purpose of | ||
the specific trip or journey that is involved;
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2. The ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be equipped | ||
with a siren
producing
an audible signal of an intensity | ||
of 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet
from the siren, | ||
and with a lamp or lamps emitting an oscillating, rotating
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or flashing red beam directed in part toward the front of | ||
the vehicle, and
these lamps shall have sufficient | ||
intensity to be visible at 500 feet in
normal sunlight, | ||
and in addition to other lighting requirements, excluding
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those vehicles operated in counties with a population in | ||
excess of 2,000,000,
may also operate with a lamp or lamps | ||
emitting an oscillating, rotating, or
flashing
green | ||
light;
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3. The aforesaid siren and lamp or lamps shall be in | ||
operation at all
times when it is reasonably necessary to | ||
warn pedestrians and other drivers
of the approach thereof | ||
during such trip or journey, except that in a municipality | ||
with a population over 1,000,000, the siren and lamp or | ||
lamps shall be in operation only when it is reasonably | ||
necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers
of the | ||
approach thereof while responding to an emergency call or | ||
transporting a patient who presents a combination of | ||
circumstances resulting in a need for immediate medical | ||
intervention;
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4. Whenever the ambulance or rescue vehicle is | ||
operated at a speed in
excess of 40 miles per hour, the | ||
ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be operated
in complete | ||
conformance with every other motor vehicle law and | ||
regulation
of this State and of the political subdivision | ||
in which the ambulance or
rescue vehicle is operated, | ||
relating to the operation of motor vehicles,
as such | ||
provision applies to motor vehicles in
general, except | ||
laws and regulations pertaining to compliance with | ||
official
traffic-control devices or to vehicular operation | ||
upon the right half of
the roadway; and
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5. The ambulance shall display registration plates | ||
identifying the vehicle
as an ambulance.
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(a-5) The driver of an ambulance or rescue vehicle may | ||
proceed past a red traffic control signal or stop sign if the | ||
ambulance or rescue vehicle is making use of both the audible | ||
and visual signals meeting the requirement of this Section, | ||
but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation. | ||
(b) The foregoing provisions do not relieve the driver of | ||
an ambulance
or rescue vehicle from the duty of driving with | ||
due regard for the safety
of all persons, nor do such | ||
provisions protect the driver from the consequences
resulting | ||
from the reckless disregard for the safety of others.
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(Source: P.A. 100-962, eff. 1-1-19.)
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