COOK COUNTY RECORD

As we head into a new year, the Chicago personal injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is once again alerting drivers of the new Illinois traffic laws to know before they take effect on January 1, 2024:

• Video conferencing, social media prohibited while driving (HB 02431): While this seems like a no brainer, it will be officially illegal in the new year for a person to participate in video conferencing or access any social media on their phone while driving. This does not apply if a driver is permitted to use an electronic communication device in hands-free or voice-operated mode, or when pressing a single button to activate or terminate exceptions.
• Stranded motorist best practices (SB 02028): In the new year, information advising drivers on best practices related to stranded motorists will be added to the Illinois Rules of the Road publication. Information will include proper use of hazard lights, when to remain in a stranded vehicle, and emergency numbers to call for assistance.
• Improved safety precautions for cyclists (SB 1710): In an effort to improve how drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists safely share the road, authorities with publicly owned bike trails must place permanent warning signage alerting pedestrians and cyclists of nearby vehicle crossings.
• Vehicle theft hotline (HB 02245): With a rise in vehicle thefts and carjackings throughout the Chicagoland area in recent years, lawmakers will now require counties with populations of 3 million or more to establish a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate the location of stolen vehicles. The hotline will use their existing global positioning systems and partner with vehicle manufacturers/ dealers to support law enforcement officers in the investigation. Information will be prominently displayed on the county sheriff’s website.
• Road Condition Mobile App (SB 1526): As our world becomes more and more digitally connected, the Department of Transportation will develop a mobile app in 2024 that provides motorists with updates on various road conditions.
• Supplying Minors with Alcohol (HB 1155): Changes to the Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act to now allow a person, or the family of someone injured by an impaired person under 18, to sue for damages. Also, a person under 18 hurt by alcohol or drugs supplied by someone over 18 can take legal action if the person over 18 knowingly let alcohol or drugs be used on any premises they own or control (not just non-residential places) and this leads to the impairment of the person under 18.
• Public Transportation Suspensions (HB 1342): Beginning in 2024, the CTA, RTA, Metra, PACE, and all other local mass transit districts will have the ability to adopt their own ordinances, rules, or regulations regarding the suspension of rider privileges.
• Roadside memorial markers (SB01212): A DUI memorial marker and fatal crash memorial marker must be maintained for at least 4 years (rather than 2 years) from the date the person was memorialized on the marker.

“As a personal injury attorney, we see the devastating consequences of distracted, intoxicated and reckless driving far too often. I am pleased to see that our lawmakers put a focus on improving the roads with a number of new driving laws this year,” Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorney Lance D. Northcutt said. “We have seen so many crashes involving stranded motorists in recent years. I hope the new focus on educating drivers on best practices for these situations will cut down on the number of crashes we see involving stranded motorists.”

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorney Lance D. Northcutt is available to discuss the above new laws in more detail. Please contact Marcie Mangan, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s Director of Public Relations, at (877) 568-9745 or mmangan@salvilaw.com to schedule an interview.

Original source can be found here.