100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB2402

 

Introduced , by Rep. Christian L. Mitchell

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/11-1421  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1421
625 ILCS 5/12-602  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-602

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no person shall drive or operate a motorcycle with a noise level intensity at a distance of 50 feet from the centerline of the lane of travel that exceeds: (1) 80 decibels on a highway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less; (2) 82 decibels when driving or operating a motorcycle on a grade exceeding 3% on a highway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less; or (3) 86 decibels on a highway with a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. Establishes penalties. Reinforces that the audible signal intensity of a siren on an ambulance or a rescue vehicle shall not exceed 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from the siren. Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5Sections 11-1421 and 12-602 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/11-1421)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1421)
7    Sec. 11-1421. Conditions for operating ambulances and
8rescue vehicles.
9    (a) No person shall operate an ambulance or rescue vehicle
10in a manner not conforming to the motor vehicle laws and
11regulations of this State or of any political subdivision of
12this State as such laws and regulations apply to motor vehicles
13in general, unless in compliance with the following conditions:
14        1. The person operating the ambulance shall be either
15    responding to a bona fide emergency call or specifically
16    directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws
17    in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of
18    the specific trip or journey that is involved;
19        2. The ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be equipped
20    with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of
21    at least 100 decibels, but not to exceed 101 decibels at a
22    distance of 50 feet from the siren, and with a lamp or
23    lamps emitting an oscillating, rotating or flashing red

 

 

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1    beam directed in part toward the front of the vehicle, and
2    these lamps shall have sufficient intensity to be visible
3    at 500 feet in normal sunlight, and in addition to other
4    lighting requirements, excluding those vehicles operated
5    in counties with a population in excess of 2,000,000, may
6    also operate with a lamp or lamps emitting an oscillating,
7    rotating, or flashing green light;
8        3. The aforesaid siren and lamp or lamps shall be in
9    operation at all times when it is reasonably necessary to
10    warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof
11    during such trip or journey;
12        4. Whenever the ambulance or rescue vehicle is operated
13    at a speed in excess of 40 miles per hour, the ambulance or
14    rescue vehicle shall be operated in complete conformance
15    with every other motor vehicle law and regulation of this
16    State and of the political subdivision in which the
17    ambulance or rescue vehicle is operated, relating to the
18    operation of motor vehicles, as such provision applies to
19    motor vehicles in general, except laws and regulations
20    pertaining to compliance with official traffic-control
21    devices or to vehicular operation upon the right half of
22    the roadway; and
23        5. The ambulance shall display registration plates
24    identifying the vehicle as an ambulance.
25    (b) The foregoing provisions do not relieve the driver of
26an ambulance or rescue vehicle from the duty of driving with

 

 

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1due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do such
2provisions protect the driver from the consequences resulting
3from the reckless disregard for the safety of others.
4(Source: P.A. 88-517.)
 
5    (625 ILCS 5/12-602)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-602)
6    Sec. 12-602. Mufflers, prevention of noise.
7    (a) Every motor vehicle driven or operated upon the
8highways of this State shall at all times be equipped with an
9adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and
10properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise.
11No such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a
12cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the
13exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will
14amplify or increase the noise of such vehicle above that
15emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and
16such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of
17this Section.
18    (b) No person shall drive or operate a motorcycle with a
19noise level intensity at a distance of 50 feet from the
20centerline of the lane of travel that exceeds:
21        (1) 80 decibels on a highway with a speed limit of 35
22    miles per hour or less;
23        (2) 82 decibels when driving or operating a motorcycle
24    on a grade exceeding 3% on a highway with a speed limit of
25    35 miles per hour or less; or

 

 

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1        (3) 86 decibels on a highway with a speed limit of more
2    than 35 miles per hour.
3    A violation of this subsection (b) shall be punishable by a
4maximum fine of $75 for a first offense, a maximum fine of $150
5for a second offense, and impoundment of the motorcycle for a
6third or subsequent offense.
7(Source: P.A. 77-37.)
 
8    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
9becoming law.