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.


LRB101 09312 TAE 54407 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1523LRB101 09312 TAE 54407 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5Section 11-701 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/11-701)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-701)
7    Sec. 11-701. Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions.
8    (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall
9be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as
10follows:
11        1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle
12    proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing
13    such movements;
14        2. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to
15    drive to the left of the center of the roadway; provided,
16    any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all
17    vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the
18    unobstructed portion of the roadway within such distance as
19    to constitute an immediate hazard;
20        3. Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for
21    traffic under the rules applicable thereon;
22        4. Upon a roadway restricted to one way traffic;
23        5. Whenever there is a single track paved road on one

 

 

SB1523- 2 -LRB101 09312 TAE 54407 b

1    side of the public highway and 2 vehicles meet thereon, the
2    driver on whose right is the wider shoulder shall give the
3    right-of-way on such pavement to the other vehicle.
4    (b) Upon a 2 lane roadway, providing for 2-way movement of
5traffic, a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane
6available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right
7hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and
8passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or
9when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a
10private road or driveway.
11    (c) Upon any roadway having 4 or more lanes for moving
12traffic and providing for 2-way movement of traffic, no vehicle
13shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway,
14except when authorized by official traffic-control devices
15designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the
16roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such
17lanes, or except as permitted under Subsection (a) 2. However,
18this Subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the
19crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from
20an alley, private road or driveway.
21    (d) Upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled
22freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane, except
23when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when otherwise
24directed by traffic markings, signs, signals, or any person
25authorized under Section 11-203 of this Code to direct traffic.
26    (e) Subsection (d) of this Section does not apply:

 

 

SB1523- 3 -LRB101 09312 TAE 54407 b

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