Chicago Car Accident Attorney Reminds Illinois Drivers of New 2016 Laws
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) December 29, 2015 -- Illinois Car Accident Attorney Jeffrey J. Kroll of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. wants to remind drivers of new Illinois laws that will impact motorists as of January 1, 2016.
Repeat DUI Offenders Must Use a Breath-Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device for Five Years: Starting in the New Year, repeat drunk drivers will be prevented from prematurely re-obtaining their Illinois driver’s license and they will have to use a breath alcohol interlock ignition device for a longer period of time. Under House Bill 3533/Public Act 99-0296, repeat DUI offenders will be required to use a breath-alcohol interlock ignition device (BAIID) for at least five years before their license can be reinstated. Currently, these drivers only have to use the interlock ignition device for one year. Additionally, repeat DUI offenders will not be eligible to apply for a license again until completing a five year period under a restricted driving permit.
Four-time DUI Offenders Get Another Chance Behind the Wheel: Those who have been convicted of drunken driving four times and have had their license revoked, may have another chance to get behind the wheel. Currently, four-time DUI offenders lose all driving privileges, but under House Bill 1446/Public Act 99-0290, offenders can apply for a restricted driving permit, only if their license has been revoked for at least five years. They must also prove they’ve been sober for three years. And offenders would also be required to have their vehicle equipped with a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). More than 5,000 Illinois drivers have been convicted of drunken driving four times and have had their licenses revoked, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Move Over for Recycling Trucks: Scott’s Law or the “Move Over” law was passed in 2002 and requires drivers who are approaching a police or emergency vehicle stopped in the roadway, to proceed with caution, yield and if possible, change lanes. The law applies to all vehicles displaying flashing lights including highway maintenance vehicles and in 2016, Senate Bill 1424/ Public Act 99-0125, requires drivers to use the “move over” law when approaching recycling trucks as well. This is an addition to current legislation that requires vehicles to slow down when approaching garbage trucks. The National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) conducted a Harris Survey that found while most Americans encounter garbage and recycling collection trucks on the road each week, only one-third of people slow down near these vehicles and nearly 40 percent actually are tempted to speed around them.
Electric Vehicle Parking Only: Many parking lots are adding “electric vehicle only” parking spots, but currently any type of vehicle can park in these spots because this rule is not enforceable. But with more drivers conscious about reducing their carbon footprint, under House Bill 0198/Public Act 99-0172, non-electric vehicles are prohibited from parking in charging station spaces designated for electric vehicles. This new law allows the owner or operator of the parking facility to remove any non-electric vehicle in a designed spot. It also imposes a minimum fine of $75 on a person who parks in a spot designated for an electric vehicle and shouldn’t be there. Hybrid vehicles run on gas or electric would only qualify to park in the electric parking spots if they have a plug.
“Our firm handles a range of car accident cases and often these cases are the result of an intoxicated driver or a driver speeding,” said Jeffrey J. Kroll, Partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. “It is encouraging to see lawmakers take the privilege of driving seriously. While we have distracted driving laws already in the books, increasing the use of a BAIID device and slowing drivers down around recycling trucks will hopefully make the roads safer for Illinois drivers.”
About Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is a leading Chicago personal injury firm with offices in Chicago (22 West Washington Street, Suite 1600, Chicago IL 60602) and Waukegan (218 North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085). In addition to representing clients in car accident cases, the firm handles catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, aviation and product liability cases, airplane and train accidents, construction injuries, birth injuries, brain injuries, unsafe properties and animal attacks. The firm has obtained more than $975 million on behalf of its clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including 210 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more.
Lindsey Cramer, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., http://www.salvilaw.com, +1 (312) 372-1227, [email protected]
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