New Traffic Laws in Illinois

Tools

By Sam Smith

Story Created: Dec 31, 2011 at 8:13 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 1, 2012 at 6:25 PM CDT

PERRY COUNTY - A new year also means new laws in Illinois. Starting January first some changes are coming to all car passengers and motorcyclists will get a few new liberties at stop lights. The Illinois State Police have a few new laws to keep an eye on. In the new year, they will look for drivers and ALL passengers who aren't buckled up.

"We are going to be able to pull people over specifically for the offense of one of the rear seat occupants not having their seat belt on," says State Trooper Christopher Joe Watson.

Offenders face a $60 fine. Trooper Watson says it's a small price to pay for safety, for example in a rollover crash.

"In those type of situations where you are rolling the vehicle it is imperative because of the forces involved in the crash. They get thrown out of the vehicle in the same place, and they get basically ran over by the vehicle," says Trooper Watson.

Seat belts became a requirement for drivers and front seat passengers in 2003.

"When they passed the seat belt law I thought it was a great, it was hard for me to get use to. I did and It's automatic now when I get in my vehicle. I just automatically put it on without thinking," says Pinckneyville resident Kenny Hicks.

But others say they don't like being told what to do in their car.

"I think it ought to be up to the person, there isn't a doubt it saves lives but I just think it ought to be up to the person to put them on if they want to or not," says Joe Bruns of Pinckneyville.

And while police will be on the lookout for seat belt violations, they won't necessarily pull over motorcyclists for riding through a red light.

"I've sat there for five, ten minutes waiting on somebody to come up behind me and finally you just go on through them because if a car doesn't come up, you have no choice," says Murphysboro resident David Pugh.

Over the years. the state has already seen a reduction in traffic fatalities. And Trooper Watson says these new laws will make the roads safer and hopefully reduce fatalities even more.

A list of the more than 200 new state laws is in the link above.

Current Weather

Marion Regional
Current: 79°
Clear
High: 84°
Low: 57°
Wind: 10 MPH
Pressure: 0.00
Humidity: 28 %
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.