State lawmakers made some important changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code for 2013. One change may lead to a substantial increase in driver’s license suspensions.
No Supervision for Speeding
Lawmakers amended 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1 to prohibit traffic court judges from giving supervision on speeding tickets more than 25 mph over the limit:
The provisions [allowing supervision] shall not apply to a defendant charged with violating subsection (b) of Section 11-601 of the Illinois Vehicle Code when the defendant was operating a vehicle, in an urban district, at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
730 ILCS 5/5-6-1(q).
The general rule is that three convictions for moving violations in 12 months will result in a suspended driver’s license. If drivers can’t get supervision for speeding more than 25 mph over the limit, then the odds of a suspended license increase substantially.
Ban on Cell Phones for Commercial Drivers
CDL operators can no longer use cell phones on the road, unless they are hands-free. Under 625 ILCS 5/6-526 and 6-527, commercial vehicle drivers are prohibited form texting, and from making phone calls while holding a cell phone by hand.
A violation would constitute a serious traffic violation that can cancel a CDL.
The prohibition against applies even when the vehicle is stopped at a red light or due to traffic.
