93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2418

 

Introduced 2/3/2004, by Terry Link

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 new

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on streets, roads, and highways, subject to conditions similar to those that apply to golf carts.


LRB093 20222 DRH 45979 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2418 LRB093 20222 DRH 45979 b

1     AN ACT concerning vehicles.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding
5 Section 11-1426.1 as follows:
 
6     (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 new)
7     Sec. 11-1426.1. Operation of neighborhood electric
8 vehicles on streets, roads, and highways.
9     (a) As used in this Section, "neighborhood electric
10 vehicle" means a self-propelled, electronically powered
11 four-wheeled motor vehicle which is capable of attaining in one
12 mile a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, but not more than
13 25 miles per hour, and which conforms to federal regulations
14 under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500.
15     (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it is
16 unlawful for any person to drive or operate a neighborhood
17 electric vehicle upon any street, highway, or roadway in this
18 State.
19     (c) No person operating a neighborhood electric vehicle
20 shall make a direct crossing upon or across any highway under
21 the jurisdiction of the State, tollroad, interstate highway, or
22 controlled access highway in this State.
23     (d) A municipality, township, county, or other unit of
24 local government may authorize, by ordinance or resolution, the
25 operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on roadways under
26 its jurisdiction. The Department may authorize the operation of
27 neighborhood electric vehicles on the roadways under its
28 jurisdiction.
29     Before permitting the operation of neighborhood electric
30 vehicles on its roadways, a municipality, township, county,
31 other unit of local government, or the Department must consider
32 the volume, speed, and character of traffic on the roadway and

 

 

SB2418 - 2 - LRB093 20222 DRH 45979 b

1 determine whether neighborhood electric vehicles may safely
2 travel on or cross the roadway. Upon determining that
3 neighborhood electric vehicles may safely operate on a roadway
4 and the adoption of an ordinance or resolution by a
5 municipality, township, county, or other unit of local
6 government, or authorization by the Department, appropriate
7 signs shall be posted.
8     If a roadway is under the jurisdiction of more than one
9 unit of government, neighborhood electric vehicles may not be
10 operated on the roadway unless each unit of government agrees
11 and takes action as provided in this subsection.
12     No neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated on a
13 roadway unless, at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a
14 steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red
15 reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow
16 moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in Section 12-709)
17 on the rear of the neighborhood electric vehicle, a headlight
18 that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to
19 the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at
20 least 100 feet from the rear, brake lights, and turn signals.
21 When operated on a roadway, a neighborhood electric vehicle
22 shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted as required by
23 Section 12-201.
24     (f) A person who drives or is in actual physical control of
25 a neighborhood electric vehicle on a roadway while under the
26 influence is subject to Section 11-500 through 11-502.