Unique Traffic Laws in Illinois
Illinois has some unique laws in the Vehicle Code that you might not realize before entering our state. Whether you’re traveling and driving in Illinois for the first time, just getting your license, or have been driving in our state your whole life and need a refresher, it’s important to know Illinois traffic laws so that you don’t break the rules of the road and cause an accident.
Not knowing traffic laws can have serious consequences, like getting charged with a traffic violation when you break the law or getting into a collision. When another driver neglects a traffic law and causes an accident with you, you can recover damages from the at-fault driver. A lawyer from Prince Law Firm in Marion can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Let’s take a look at some of the unique traffic laws in Illinois, as outlined in the Illinois Rules of the Road.
Crosswalk Law
Pedestrians have the right of way at a marked crosswalk in our state. When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk, whether the driver has just stopped at a stop sign or red light, is turning, or the light has changed, they must yield to the pedestrian and let them cross. They must also let pedestrians cross if they are in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver’s side of the road and there are no traffic control signals.
When approaching an intersection, a driver must stop behind the marked line. If there is no line, they must stop behind the crosswalk. These laws are essential in preventing accidents with pedestrians.
Texting and Driving
In Illinois, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving. While some states have only banned texting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, Illinois has made it illegal to use a cell phone in any capacity while driving. For drivers 19 years of age and older, hands-free and Bluetooth devices are allowed to be used, but handheld cell phones cannot be used to make calls, text, or browse the internet.
The only time a driver is allowed to use their cell phone is if they are reporting an emergency, parked on the shoulder, or stopped from a traffic obstruction and the vehicle is in park. Otherwise, the driver is considered to be driving distractedly.
Additionally, it is also illegal to wear a headset while driving.
Lane Usage and Passing
In Illinois, you must stay in the furthermost right lane of traffic while you drive. The only time you should use the left lane is for passing a slower vehicle, passing a bicyclist, avoiding an obstruction, or giving a vehicle stopped on the side of the road more room.
On a two-lane highway, sometimes passing is allowed. The areas are marked with signs to let you know when you may pass. The left lane must be clear as far as you can see, and you must not speed in order to pass the vehicle. Once you have passed them, you must return to the correct lane.
Seat Belts
All passengers in the car over eight years of age must wear a seat belt, and that includes both the front and back seats of the vehicle. While other states might allow passengers over 18 to decide if they want to wear a seat belt in the back seat, our state requires every passenger to wear their seat belt for safety while the vehicle is in motion.
Passengers under eight years of age also must wear a seat belt, but they must be in a proper child restraint system as well. In the event of a car accident, seat belts help keep everyone in the car safer. According to the law, it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that every person in the car is wearing their seat belt or properly restrained.
Emergency Vehicles
Much like other vehicles stopped on the side of the road, you must also slow down and move over when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road. If you hear or see an emergency vehicle with their lights and sirens on approaching, you must slow down and pull over to the right of the road to allow them to pass safely.
Prince Law Firm Is Here To Help
If another driver violated traffic laws and caused an accident that led to you being injured, then they should be held accountable for their actions. You shouldn’t have to worry about the costs you’ve suffered from your medical bills, repair costs, and lost wages from missed work—the at-fault driver should have to compensate you for those losses.
At Prince Law Firm, we understand how hard it can be to financially recover from an accident. That’s why our lawyers are here to help—whether you were injured in a car accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, we’ll represent you in your personal injury claim. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
