99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB1834

 

Introduced 2/20/2015, by Sen. Daniel Biss

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/12-604.1
625 ILCS 5/18c-7505 new

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the use of video event recorder devices in vehicles to be used exclusively for driver feedback or safety monitoring programs, as long as the device does not obstruct the driver's clear view through the front windshield. Prohibits rail carriers from using audio or video images obtained from a video event recorder originating within a contract carrier vehicle in any disciplinary proceeding against an employee. Provides that in the event of an accident involving a contract carrier vehicle equipped with a video event recorder, no audio or video recordings shall be released except upon the order of a court with jurisdiction in the matter.


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A BILL FOR

 

SB1834LRB099 07938 RJF 28078 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 12-604.1 and by adding Section 18c-7505 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/12-604.1)
7    Sec. 12-604.1. Video and video event recorder devices.
8    (a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle if a
9television receiver, a video monitor, a television or video
10screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a
11television broadcast or video signal that produces
12entertainment or business applications is operating and is
13located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back
14of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver
15while driving the motor vehicle.
16    (a-5) A person commits aggravated use of a video device
17when he or she violates subsection (a) and in committing the
18violation he or she was involved in a motor vehicle accident
19that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability,
20disfigurement, or death to another and the violation was a
21proximate cause of the injury or death.
22    (b) This Section does not apply to the following equipment,
23whether or not permanently installed in a vehicle:

 

 

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1        (1) a vehicle information display;
2        (2) a global positioning display;
3        (3) a mapping or navigation display;
4        (4) a visual display used to enhance or supplement the
5    driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor
6    vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle;
7        (5) television-type receiving equipment used
8    exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies; or
9        (6) a television receiver, video monitor, television
10    or video screen, or any other similar means of visually
11    displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that
12    equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor
13    vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses
14    except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1)
15    through (5) of this subsection (b); or .
16        (7) a video event recorder used exclusively for driver
17    feedback or safety monitoring programs, as long as the
18    device does not obstruct the driver's clear view through
19    the front windshield, consistent with Section 12-503 of
20    this Code.
21    (c) This Section does not apply to a mobile, digital
22terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle, a motor
23vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside
24assistance, or to motor vehicles utilized for public
25transportation.
26    (d) This Section does not apply to a television receiver,

 

 

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1video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar
2means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video
3signal if: (i) the equipment is permanently installed in the
4motor vehicle; and (ii) the moving entertainment images that
5the equipment displays are not visible to the driver while the
6motor vehicle is in motion.
7    (e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this Section, a
8person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty
9offense and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first
10offense, not more than $200 for a second offense within one
11year of a previous conviction, and not more than $250 for a
12third or subsequent offense within one year of 2 previous
13convictions.
14    (f) A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5)
15commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in
16great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to
17another. A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5)
18commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death
19of another person.
20(Source: P.A. 97-499, eff. 1-1-12; 98-507, eff. 1-1-14.)
 
21    (625 ILCS 5/18c-7505 new)
22    Sec. 18c-7505. Use of a video event recorder in
23disciplinary proceedings. A rail carrier shall be prohibited
24from using audio or video images obtained from a video event
25recorder, as allowed under paragraph (7) of subsection (b) of

 

 

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1Section 12-604.1 of this Code, originating within contract
2carrier vehicles transporting railroad employees in the course
3of their employment, in any disciplinary proceeding against an
4employee. In the event of an accident involving a contract
5carrier vehicle equipped with a video event recorder, no audio
6or video recordings shall be released except upon the order of
7a court with jurisdiction in the matter.