100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB5632

 

Introduced , by Rep. Christian L. Mitchell

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/11-1421  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1421

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an ambulance or rescue vehicle shall operate a siren and lamp or lamps only when it is reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof while responding to an emergency call or transporting a patient who presents a combination of circumstances resulting in a need for immediate medical intervention that is beyond the capabilities of the emergency responders using the available supplies and equipment.


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A BILL FOR

 

HB5632LRB100 20888 LNS 36393 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 11-1421 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/11-1421)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1421)
7    Sec. 11-1421. Conditions for operating ambulances and
8rescue vehicles.
9    (a) No person shall operate an ambulance or rescue vehicle
10in a manner not conforming to the motor vehicle laws and
11regulations of this State or of any political subdivision of
12this State as such laws and regulations apply to motor vehicles
13in general, unless in compliance with the following conditions:
14        1. The person operating the ambulance shall be either
15    responding to a bona fide emergency call or specifically
16    directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws
17    in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of
18    the specific trip or journey that is involved;
19        2. The ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be equipped
20    with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of
21    100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from the siren, and
22    with a lamp or lamps emitting an oscillating, rotating or
23    flashing red beam directed in part toward the front of the

 

 

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1    vehicle, and these lamps shall have sufficient intensity to
2    be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight, and in addition
3    to other lighting requirements, excluding those vehicles
4    operated in counties with a population in excess of
5    2,000,000, may also operate with a lamp or lamps emitting
6    an oscillating, rotating, or flashing green light;
7        3. The aforesaid siren and lamp or lamps shall be in
8    operation only at all times when it is reasonably necessary
9    to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach
10    thereof while responding to an emergency call or
11    transporting a patient who presents a combination of
12    circumstances resulting in a need for immediate medical
13    intervention that is beyond the capabilities of the
14    emergency responders using the available supplies and
15    equipment during such trip or journey;
16        4. Whenever the ambulance or rescue vehicle is operated
17    at a speed in excess of 40 miles per hour, the ambulance or
18    rescue vehicle shall be operated in complete conformance
19    with every other motor vehicle law and regulation of this
20    State and of the political subdivision in which the
21    ambulance or rescue vehicle is operated, relating to the
22    operation of motor vehicles, as such provision applies to
23    motor vehicles in general, except laws and regulations
24    pertaining to compliance with official traffic-control
25    devices or to vehicular operation upon the right half of
26    the roadway; and

 

 

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1        5. The ambulance shall display registration plates
2    identifying the vehicle as an ambulance.
3    (b) The foregoing provisions do not relieve the driver of
4an ambulance or rescue vehicle from the duty of driving with
5due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do such
6provisions protect the driver from the consequences resulting
7from the reckless disregard for the safety of others.
8(Source: P.A. 88-517.)