Bill Text: IL HB5099 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Chaptered


Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no person may use a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle within 500 feet of an emergency scene except for specified purposes. Adds digital photographs and video to the definition of "electronic message" in provisions prohibiting the use of electronic communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. Effective immediately.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Passed) 2012-07-20 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 97-0828 [HB5099 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HB5099-Chaptered.html



Public Act 097-0828
HB5099 EnrolledLRB097 19198 HEP 64440 b
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
Sections 12-610.1 and 12-610.2 as follows:
(625 ILCS 5/12-610.1)
Sec. 12-610.1. Wireless telephones.
(a) As used in this Section, "wireless telephone" means a
device that is capable of transmitting or receiving telephonic
communications without a wire connecting the device to the
telephone network.
(b) A person under the age of 19 years who holds an
instruction permit issued under Section 6-105 or 6-107.1, or a
person under the age of 19 years who holds a graduated license
issued under Section 6-107, may not drive a vehicle on a
roadway while using a wireless phone.
(c) This Section does not apply to a person under the age
of 19 years using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes,
including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law
enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or
other emergency services agency or entity.
(d) If a graduated driver's license holder over the age of
18 committed an offense against traffic regulations governing
the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6-107 or
Section 12-603.1 of this Code in the 6 months prior to the
graduated driver's license holder's 18th birthday, and was
subsequently convicted of the violation, the provisions of
paragraph (b) shall continue to apply until such time as a
period of 6 consecutive months has elapsed without an
additional violation and subsequent conviction of an offense
against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles
or any violation of Section 6-107 or Section 12-603.1 of this
Code.
(e) A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless
telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a
roadway in a school speed zone established under Section
11-605, or on a highway in a construction or maintenance speed
zone established under Section 11-605.1, or within 500 feet of
an emergency scene. As used in this Section, "emergency scene"
means a location where an authorized emergency vehicle as
defined by Section 1-105 of this Code is present and has
activated its oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. This
subsection (e) does not apply to (i) a person engaged in a
highway construction or maintenance project for which a
construction or maintenance speed zone has been established
under Section 11-605.1, (ii) a person using a wireless
telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited
to, law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire
department, or other emergency services agency or entity, (iii)
a law enforcement officer or operator of an emergency vehicle
when performing the officer's or operator's official duties, or
(iv) to a person using a wireless telephone in voice-operated
voice-activated mode, or (v) a person using an electronic
communication device for the sole purpose of reporting an
emergency situation and continued communication with emergency
personnel during the emergency situation.
(Source: P.A. 95-310, eff. 1-1-08; 95-338, eff. 1-1-08; 95-876,
eff. 8-21-08; 96-131, eff. 1-1-10.)
(625 ILCS 5/12-610.2)
Sec. 12-610.2. Electronic communication devices.
(a) As used in this Section:
"Electronic communication device" means an electronic
device, including but not limited to a wireless telephone,
personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer
while being used for the purpose of composing, reading, or
sending an electronic message, but does not include a global
positioning system or navigation system or a device that is
physically or electronically integrated into the motor
vehicle.
"Electronic message" means a self-contained piece of
digital communication that is designed or intended to be
transmitted between physical devices. "Electronic message"
includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text
message, an instant message, a digital photograph, a video, or
a command or request to access an Internet site.
(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway
while using an electronic communication device to compose,
send, or read an electronic message.
(c) A violation of this Section is an offense against
traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles.
(d) This Section does not apply to:
(1) a law enforcement officer or operator of an
emergency vehicle while performing his or her official
duties;
(2) a driver using an electronic communication device
for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation
and continued communication with emergency personnel
during the emergency situation;
(3) a driver using an electronic communication device
in hands-free or voice-operated voice-activated mode;
(4) a driver of a commercial motor vehicle reading a
message displayed on a permanently installed communication
device designed for a commercial motor vehicle with a
screen that does not exceed 10 inches tall by 10 inches
wide in size;
(5) a driver using an electronic communication device
while parked on the shoulder of a roadway; or
(6) a driver using an electronic communication device
when the vehicle is stopped due to normal traffic being
obstructed and the driver has the motor vehicle
transmission in neutral or park.
(Source: P.A. 96-130, eff. 1-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.
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