Bill Text: IL SB1523 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane except when otherwise directed by traffic markings, signs, signals, or any person authorized under the Code to direct traffic, in addition to the current exception for overtaking or passing another vehicle. Removes a provision providing that the provision prohibiting vehicles to be driven in the left lane of an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway does not apply when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle in the left lane.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2021-01-13 - Session Sine Die [SB1523 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SB1523-Introduced.html

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101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2019 and 2020 SB1523 Introduced 2/15/2019, by Sen. Jim Oberweis SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
625 ILCS 5/11-701 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-701
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane except when otherwise directed by traffic markings, signs, signals, or any person authorized under the Code to direct traffic, in addition to the current exception for overtaking or passing another vehicle. Removes a provision providing that the provision prohibiting vehicles to be driven in the left lane of an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway does not apply when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle in the left lane.
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A BILL FOR
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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 11-701 as follows:
(625 ILCS 5/11-701) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-701)
Sec. 11-701. Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions.
(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall
be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as
follows:
1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle
proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing
such movements;
2. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to
drive to the left of the center of the roadway; provided,
any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all
vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the
unobstructed portion of the roadway within such distance as
to constitute an immediate hazard;
3. Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for
traffic under the rules applicable thereon;
4. Upon a roadway restricted to one way traffic;
5. Whenever there is a single track paved road on one

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side of the public highway and 2 vehicles meet thereon, the
driver on whose right is the wider shoulder shall give the
right-of-way on such pavement to the other vehicle.
(b) Upon a 2 lane roadway, providing for 2-way movement of
traffic, a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane
available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right
hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and
passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or
when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a
private road or driveway.
(c) Upon any roadway having 4 or more lanes for moving
traffic and providing for 2-way movement of traffic, no vehicle
shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway,
except when authorized by official traffic-control devices
designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the
roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such
lanes, or except as permitted under Subsection (a) 2. However,
this Subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the
crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from
an alley, private road or driveway.
(d) Upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled
freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane, except
when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when otherwise
directed by traffic markings, signs, signals, or any person
authorized under Section 11-203 of this Code to direct traffic.
(e) Subsection (d) of this Section does not apply:

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(1) (blank); when no other vehicle is directly behind
the vehicle in the left lane;
(2) when traffic conditions and congestion make it
impractical to drive in the right lane;
(3) when snow and other inclement weather conditions
make it necessary to drive in the left lane;
(4) when obstructions or hazards exist in the right
lane;
(5) when a vehicle changes lanes to comply with
Sections 11-907, 11-907.5, and 11-908 of this Code;
(6) when, because of highway design, a vehicle must be
driven in the left lane when preparing to exit;
(7) on toll highways when necessary to use I-Pass, and
on toll and other highways when driving in the left lane is
required to comply with an official traffic control device;
or
(8) to law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and other
emergency vehicles engaged in official duties and vehicles
engaged in highway maintenance and construction
operations.
(Source: P.A. 99-681, eff. 1-1-17.)