CHICAGO – As we head into a new year, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is alerting drivers to the new Illinois traffic laws that will most impact motorists, pedestrians, and passengers when they take effect on January 1, 2022:
- Traffic stop education (HB03097): In 2022, the Illinois Rules of the Road publication, Drivers Ed and adult driving courses will include instruction on law enforcement procedures during traffic stops, including the actions that a motorist should take during a traffic stop and appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers.
- Disability decals for expectant mothers (HB03027): In the new year, expectant mothers in their 3rd trimester will be able to obtain a disabilities decal from the Secretary of State. These special decals will be valid for no more than 90 days and will only be issued upon a showing adequate documentation that the expectant mother has entered her third trimester.
- Motorcycle safety (HB00656): In 2022, the current law discussing motorcycle passenger safety will be amended to include a clause that passengers on a motorcycle must be able to rest their foot on the footrest while the motorcycle is in motion. The law previously laid out several safety measures regarding proper handlebar grip, riding position, and number of passengers allowed.
- Traffic fatality study (SB1791): In an effort to prevent more deadly accidents, the Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic study following any crash that involves a fatality on a state highway. Lawmakers hope the study will provide insight into important design improvements, useful traffic control devices, and other advancements. The results of these studies will be made available to the public on the Department of Transportation’s website.
“Even though a routine traffic stop sounds intuitive to a lot of us, you have to remember that a traffic stop for a police officer is one of the most dangerous encounters they have. When you have an officer and a motorist who are unsure of what the others intensions are, bad things can happen. We have unfortunately seen that time and again – a simple motion can be mistaken for a furtive movement for a weapon, or someone stepping out of their vehicle could be perceived as a threat. This new law is an infusion of common sense which will benefit police officers who want to go home to their families and motorists who want to make sure that their encounter with a member of law enforcement is a safe one,” Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorney Lance D. Northcutt said about the new law concerning traffic stop education.
Please click here to view a full list of laws that will go into effect in 2022.
A Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorney is available to discuss the above new laws in more detail. Please contact Marcie Mangan, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s Director of Public Relations, at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com to schedule an interview.
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