Chapter 10.12
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
10.12.010 Directing traffic – Obedience to police.
10.12.020 Directing traffic – Scene of fire.
10.12.030 Refusal to stop vehicle.
10.12.040 Obedience to and required traffic-control devices.
10.12.060 Traffic-control signal legend.
10.12.080 Lane-control signals.
10.12.090 Pedestrian-control signals.
10.12.110 Interference with signs and signals.
10.12.140 Animals or bicycles.
For statutory provisions on obedience to traffic laws, see 625 ILCS 5/11-201 et seq.; for provisions on traffic signs, signals and markings, see 625 ILCS 5/11-301 et seq.
10.12.010 Directing traffic – Obedience to police.
Members of the police department and special police assigned to traffic duty are authorized to direct all traffic in accordance with the provisions of this title, or, in emergencies, as public safety or convenience may require. It is unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order, signal or direction of a policeman. Except in case of emergency, it is unlawful for any person not authorized by law to direct or attempt to direct traffic.
10.12.020 Directing traffic – Scene of fire.
The fire department officer in command, or any fireman designated by him, may exercise the power and authority of a policeman in directing traffic at the scene of any fire or where the fire department has responded to an emergency call for so long as fire department equipment is on the scene in the absence of or in assisting the police.
10.12.030 Refusal to stop vehicle.
It is unlawful for the driver or operator of any motor vehicle, who has been given a visual or audible signal by a police officer directing such driver or operator to bring his vehicle to a stop, to willfully fail or refuse to obey such direction, to increase his speed, to extinguish his lights or otherwise flee or attempt to evade the police officer. The signal given by the police officer may be by hand, voice, siren, red or blue light, and the officer giving such signal shall be in a police uniform, and, if driving a vehicle, such vehicle shall be marked showing it to be an official police vehicle.
10.12.040 Obedience to and required traffic-control devices.
A. The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this title, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this title.
B. It is unlawful for any person to leave the roadway and travel across private property to avoid an official traffic-control device.
C. No provision of this title for which official traffic-control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if, at the time and place of the alleged violation, an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that official traffic-control devices are required, such section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.
D. Whenever official traffic-control devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of this title, such devices shall be presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
E. Any official traffic-control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this title and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices shall be presumed to comply with the requirements of this title, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
F. The driver of a vehicle approaching a traffic-control signal on which no signal light facing such vehicle is illuminated shall stop before entering the intersection in accordance with rules applicable in making a stop at a stop sign.
10.12.050 Posting signs.
The superintendent of public works shall post appropriate signs to show all through, stop and yield right-of-way streets; all one-way streets and alleys; and all stop intersections.
10.12.060 Traffic-control signal legend.
A. Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time, or with lighted green or yellow arrows, only the following colors shall be used and such terms and lights and lighted green or yellow arrows shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
1. Circular Green (Alone).
a. Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.
b. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal as provided under 625 ILCS 5/11-307.
2. Steady Yellow.
a. Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is thereby warned that the respective green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
b. Pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in 625 ILCS 5/11-307, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway, and no pedestrian shall start to cross.
3. Steady Red Indication.
a. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone must stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of an intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in subsections (A)(3)(b) and (c) of this section.
b. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal at an intersection may turn right after stopping as required by subsection (A)(3)(a) of this section but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. However, local authorities may by ordinance and state authorities may by rule or regulation prohibit any such right turn against a steady red signal at any intersection under their respective jurisdiction. Such ordinance or rule or regulation shall be effective when a sign is erected at such intersection giving notice of the ordinance or rule or regulation prohibiting the right turn.
c. Vehicular traffic on a one-way highway facing a steady red signal may, after stopping as required by subsection (A)(3)(a) of this section, cautiously enter the intersection and make a left turn onto an intersecting one-way highway on which traffic travels to the left but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent cross-walk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. However, local authorities may by ordinance and state authorities may by rule or regulation prohibit any such left turn against a steady red signal at any intersection within their respective jurisdiction. Such rule or regulation shall be effective when a sign is erected at such intersection giving notice of the ordinance or rule or regulation prohibiting the left turn.
d. No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless a separate “Walk” indication is shown.
4. Green Straight-Through Arrow (Alone).
a. Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through, but shall not turn right or left. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians legally within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.
b. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within the appropriate marked or unmarked crosswalk unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal as provided in 625 ILCS 5/11-307.
5. Green Turn Arrow (with Circular Green, with Steady Yellow, with Steady Red, or with Green Straight-Through Arrow).
a. Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall comply with the meaning of the circular green, steady yellow, steady red or green straight-through arrow indication as if it were shown alone, except that such vehicular traffic may cautiously enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the green turn arrow. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
b. Pedestrians facing such signal shall comply with the meaning of the circular green, steady yellow, steady red or straight-through arrow indication as if it were shown alone, unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal as provided in 625 ILCS 5/11-307.
B. In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be at a traffic sign or a marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made or, in the absence of such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
C. The motorman of any streetcar shall obey the signals set out in this section as applicable to vehicles.
10.12.070 Flashing signals.
Whenever flashing red or yellow signals are used, they shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
A. Flashing Red (Stop Signal). When a red lens is illuminated by rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
B. Flashing Yellow (Caution Signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.
10.12.080 Lane-control signals.
Whenever lane-control signals are used in conjunction with official signs, they shall have the following meanings:
A. Downward-Pointing Green Arrow. A driver facing this indication is permitted to drive in the lane over which the arrow signal is located. Otherwise he shall obey all other traffic controls present and follow safe driving practices.
B. Red X Symbol. A driver facing this indication shall not drive in the lane over which the signal is located, and this indication shall modify accordingly the meaning of all other traffic controls present. Otherwise he shall obey all other traffic controls and follow normal safe driving practices.
C. Yellow X (Steady). A driver facing this indication should prepare to vacate the lane over which the signal is located in a safe manner, to avoid, if possible, occupying that lane when a steady red X is displayed.
D. Flashing Yellow Arrow. A driver facing this indication may use the lane only for the purpose of approaching and making a left turn.
10.12.090 Pedestrian-control signals.
Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:
A. Walk. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the driver of all vehicles.
B. Don’t Walk. While “Don’t Walk” signal is illuminated, either steady or flashing, no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partly completed his crossing during the “Walk” indication shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island, if one is provided.
10.12.100 Unauthorized signs.
A. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, nor shall any person place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any other sign which hides from view or interferes with the movement of traffic or effectiveness of any traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal, and no person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.
B. Any such unauthorized device is a nuisance, and may be removed by any policeman.
10.12.110 Interference with signs and signals.
It is unlawful for any person to deface, injure, move or interfere with any official traffic sign or signal.
10.12.120 Advertising signs.
A. It is unlawful to maintain anywhere in the village any sign, signal, marking or device, other than a traffic sign or signal authorized by the president and board of trustees or the Illinois State Department of Public Works and Buildings which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, in view of any street or highway, and it is unlawful to place or maintain any sign which hides from view any lawful traffic-control device.
B. It is unlawful to maintain or operate in view of any street or highway any flashing or rotating beacon of light.
10.12.130 Ambulances.
No person shall operate an ambulance, which shall include any motor vehicle primarily designed and used for conveyance of sick or injured persons, in a manner not conforming to a provision of the motor vehicle laws and regulations of the state or ordinances of the village as such provision applies to motor vehicles in general, except in compliance with the following conditions:
A. The person operating the ambulance shall be either responding to a bona fide emergency call or specially directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of the specific trip or journey that is involved.
B. The ambulance shall be equipped with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of one hundred decibels at a distance of fifty feet from said siren, and with a lamp emitting an oscillating, rotating or flashing red beam directed in part toward the front of the vehicle and containing a power rating of at least one hundred amps.
C. The aforesaid siren and lamp shall be in full operation at all times during such trip or journey.
D. Whenever the ambulance is operated at a speed in excess of forty miles per hour, the ambulance shall be operated in complete conformance with every other motor vehicle law and regulation of the state and ordinances of the village in which the ambulance is operated, relating to the operation of motor vehicles, as such provision applies to motor vehicles in general, except laws and regulations pertaining to compliance with official traffic-control devices or to vehicular operation upon the right half of the roadway.
10.12.140 Animals or bicycles.
Any person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon any street, shall be subject to the provisions of this title applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions which can have no application to one riding a bicycle or driving or riding an animal; provided, that except in business districts, bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks.
10.12.150 Exemptions.
A. The provisions of this title regulating the movement or parking of vehicles shall not apply to the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call, but such driver, when approaching, shall slow down as necessary for safety but may proceed cautiously past a red or stop sign or signal. At other times, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles shall stop in obedience to a stop sign or signal.
B. No driver of any authorized emergency vehicle shall assume any special privileges except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
C. The provisions of this title regulating the movement and parking of vehicles shall not apply to persons, equipment or vehicles while actually engaged in installing, repairing or otherwise improving streets or street pavements.