96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB4701

 

Introduced 1/4/2010, by Rep. Dan Brady

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/12-201   from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-201

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the use of head lamps or daytime running lights at all times when a motor vehicle is operated upon any highway in this State, rather than just requiring the use of head lamps when certain atmospheric or daylight conditions are present. Provides that motor driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles are subject to the same lighted lamp requirements that currently only apply to motorcycles. Provides that law enforcement agencies acting in their official capacity are exempt from the provisions requiring the use of daytime running lamps or head lamps. Effective immediately.


LRB096 16144 AJT 31395 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4701 LRB096 16144 AJT 31395 b

1     AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
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 changing
5 Section 12-201 as follows:
 
6     (625 ILCS 5/12-201)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-201)
7     Sec. 12-201. When lighted lamps are required.
8     (a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every
9 motorcycle, motor driven cycle, and motorized pedalcycle,
10 shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a
11 white light visible for at least 500 feet in the direction the
12 motorcycle is proceeding. However, in lieu of such lighted
13 lamp, a motorcycle may be equipped with and use a means of
14 modulating the upper beam of the head lamp between high and a
15 lower brightness. No such head lamp shall be modulated, except
16 to otherwise comply with this Code, during times when lighted
17 lamps are required for other motor vehicles.
18     (a-5) When operated upon any highway in this State, every
19 motor vehicle, except those described in subsection (a) of this
20 Section, shall exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, with at least
21 one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy
22 United States Department of Transportation requirements,
23 showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity

 

 

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1 discharge (HID) lamps or lights of a yellow or amber tint. Head
2 lamps, as described in subsection (b) of this Section, or
3 lighted lamps which are lighted at all times while the motor
4 vehicle is in operation, commonly referred to as daytime
5 running lights, are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of
6 this subsection.
7     (b) When operated upon any highway in this State, all All
8 other motor vehicles, except those described in subsection (a)
9 of this Section, shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps,
10 with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle,
11 which satisfy United States Department of Transportation
12 requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by
13 high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or
14 amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times
15 when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require
16 the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due
17 to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions,
18 persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible
19 at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in
20 addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor
21 vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer shall also exhibit at least 2
22 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be
23 mounted on the left rear and right rear of the vehicle so as to
24 throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse
25 direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor
26 manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be

 

 

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1 equipped with only one such tail lamp.
2     (c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so
3 constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a
4 rear registration plate when required and render it clearly
5 legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp
6 or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for
7 illuminating a rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to
8 be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps
9 are lighted.
10     (d) A person shall install only head lamps that satisfy
11 United States Department of Transportation regulations and
12 show white light, including that emitted by HID lamps, or light
13 of a yellow or amber tint for use by a motor vehicle.
14     (e) (Blank).
15     (f) Law enforcement agencies acting in their official
16 capacity are exempt from this Section.
17 (Source: P.A. 96-487, eff. 1-1-10.)
 
18     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
19 becoming law.