HB4701 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 16144 AJT 31395 b

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.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 12-201 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/12-201) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-201)

Sec. 12-201. When lighted lamps are required.

(a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motorcycle, motor driven cycle, and motorized pedalcycle, shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a white light visible for at least 500 feet in the direction the motorcycle is proceeding. However, in lieu of such lighted lamp, a motorcycle may be equipped with and use a means of modulating the upper beam of the head lamp between high and a lower brightness. No such head lamp shall be modulated, except to otherwise comply with this Code, during times when lighted lamps are required for other motor vehicles.

(a-5) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motor vehicle, except those described in subsection (a) of this Section, shall exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps or lights of a yellow or amber tint. Head lamps, as described in subsection (b) of this Section, or lighted lamps which are lighted at all times while the motor vehicle is in operation, commonly referred to as daytime running lights, are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.

(b) When operated upon any highway in this State, all All other motor vehicles, except those described in subsection (a) of this Section, shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer shall also exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be mounted on the left rear and right rear of the vehicle so as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be equipped with only one such tail lamp.

(c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a rear registration plate when required and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating a rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

(d) A person shall install only head lamps that satisfy United States Department of Transportation regulations and show white light, including that emitted by HID lamps, or light of a yellow or amber tint for use by a motor vehicle.

(e) (Blank).

(f) Law enforcement agencies acting in their official capacity are exempt from this Section.

(Source: P.A. 96-487, eff. 1-1-10.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.