Chapter 10.16 RULES OF THE ROAD

For statutory provisions on overtaking and passing, see 625 ILCS 5/11-701 et seq.; for provisions on turning and starting, see 625 ILCS 5/11-801 et seq.; for provisions on right-of-way, see 625 ILCS 5/11-901 et seq.

10.16.010 Starting parked vehicles.

No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.

10.16.020 Driving from alleys, driveways or garages.

The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway or garage shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk, or across a sidewalk line projected across such alley, and shall exercise unusual care in driving upon the sidewalk or across such line.

10.16.030 Vehicles not to be driven on sidewalks or in safety zones.

No driver of a vehicle shall drive within any sidewalk area, except at a permanent or temporary driveway, nor at any time into or upon any portion of a roadway marked as a safety zone.

10.16.040 Backing.

The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.

10.16.050 Traffic not to be obstructed.

No vehicle shall be operated or allowed to remain upon the street in such a manner as to form an unreasonable obstruction to the traffic thereon.

10.16.060 Following too closely.

A. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the street.

B. The driver of any motor vehicle of the second division or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a street outside of a business or residence district shall not follow within three hundred feet of another motor vehicle of the second division or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the same apply upon any lane specifically designated for use by motor vehicles of the second division.

C. Motor vehicles being driven upon any street outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions.

10.16.070 Restricted access.

No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited access roadway except by such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.

10.16.080 Driver’s signals.

A. No driver of a vehicle shall suddenly start, slow down, stop or attempt to turn without first giving a suitable signal in such manner as to apprise others who might be affected by his action.

B. No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement or after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in this section in the event any other vehicle may be affected by such movement.

C. A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

D. The signals required in this section shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by a signal lamp or signal device, but when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded that a hand and arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear of such vehicle then the signals must be given by such a lamp or device.

E. All signals required in this section to be given by hand or arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:

1. Left turn: hand and arm extended horizontally;

2. Right turn: hand and arm extended upward;

3. Stop or decrease of speed: hand and arm extended downward.

10.16.090 Required position and method of turning at intersections.

A. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:

1. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

2. At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the centerline thereof and by passing to the right of such centerline where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the centerline of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

3. At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.

B. The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.

10.16.100 Right-of-way – Generally.

Except as otherwise provided, motor vehicles traveling upon public highways shall give the right-of-way to vehicles approaching along intersecting highways from the right and shall have the right-of-way over those approaching from the left.

10.16.110 Right-of-way – Vehicles turning left.

The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, but the driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this chapter, may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making the left turn.

10.16.120 Turning on crest of hills.

No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to, or near the crest of a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other such vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred feet.

10.16.130 U-turns.

It is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to make a U-turn at any place where such turns are prohibited by ordinance.

10.16.140 One-way roadways.

Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated.

10.16.150 Rotary traffic islands.

A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven on the right of such island.

10.16.160 Driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Whenever any roadway has been divided into three or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules, in addition to all other consistent herewith, shall apply:

A. A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movements can be made with safety.

B. Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction that the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation.

C. Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign.

10.16.170 Driving on right side of roadway.

Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

A. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;

B. When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair;

C. Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;

D. Upon a roadway designated and sign-posted for one-way traffic;

E. Whenever there is a single-track paved road on the public highway and two vehicles meet thereon, the driver on whose right is the wider shall give the right-of-way on such pavement to the other vehicle.

10.16.180 Overtaking vehicles.

The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions and special rules stated in this section:

A. The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

B. Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

10.16.190 When overtaking on the right is permitted.

A. The driver of a vehicle with three or more wheels may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

2. Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parking vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;

3. Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

B. The driver of a two-wheeled vehicle may not pass upon the right of any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the unobstructed pavement to the right of the vehicle being passed is of a width of not less than eight feet.

C. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.

10.16.200 Limitations on overtaking on the left.

A. No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of this title and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

B. No vehicle may, in overtaking and passing another vehicle, be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:

1. When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;

2. When approaching within one hundred feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing, bridge or viaduct.

C. The limitations in subsections (B)(1) and (2) of this section do not apply upon a one-way roadway or upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lanes of moving traffic in each direction when such movement can be made with safety.

10.16.210 Passing vehicles.

Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions, except as provided in RMC 10.16.170, shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.

10.16.220 Speed restrictions.

A. It is unlawful to drive any motor vehicle on any street not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Buildings, State of Illinois, or the county, within the village at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour, or in an alley at a speed in excess of fifteen miles per hour.

B. If the village board, by ordinance, sets other limits as provided by statute after an engineering or traffic survey, then such limits shall govern the rate of speed on the streets indicated in such ordinance. The department of streets shall post appropriate signs showing such speed limits.

C. The speed of all vehicles of the second division, as defined by statute, having two or more solid tires shall not exceed ten miles per hour.

D. The fact that the speed of a vehicle does not exceed the applicable maximum speed limit does not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway or when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic by reason of weather or highway conditions. Speed shall be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

E. It is unlawful to drive any vehicle on any street or highway within the village under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Public Works and Buildings, or of the county, at a speed exceeding that lawfully set for such street.

10.16.230 Special speed limits while passing schools.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling upon any public thoroughfare on or across which children pass going to and from school during school days when school children are present. Appropriate signs shall be posted to indicate this restriction.

10.16.240 Following fire apparatus.

A. Upon the sounding of gongs or warning devices used upon fire apparatus or fire patrol vehicles, drivers shall draw their vehicles as near to the right curb as is reasonably possible and shall remain standing until such fire apparatus has passed. It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business, to follow any fire apparatus in response to a fire alarm, closer than one block, or to park any vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped to answer a fire alarm.

B. It is further unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to drive over any unprotected hose of the fire department without the consent of the fire marshal or the assistant in command.

10.16.250 Operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.

A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of this title or a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible or visual signal, the driver of every other vehicle on the same roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall stop if possible and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

B. Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, as stated in subsection A of this section, the motorman of every streetcar shall immediately stop such car clear of any intersection and keep it in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

C. This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

10.16.260 Reckless, careless or negligent driving.

A. It is unlawful to operate any vehicle in the village in a reckless or wanton manner, or carelessly so as to endanger life or property.

B. It is unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle within the village negligently, heedlessly and without due caution in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property.

10.16.270 Drag racing.

It is unlawful for the operator of any motor vehicle to be a participant in drag racing.

10.16.280 Schoolbuses.

The driver of a vehicle on any street or highway, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any schoolbus which has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, shall stop the vehicle before reaching such schoolbus when there is in operation on the bus a visual signal as required by statute for operation while the bus is transporting pupils; provided, the driver of a vehicle upon a street or highway on which the roadways for traffic moving in opposite directions are separated by a strip of ground at least four feet wide which is not surfaced or suitable for vehicle traffic, or on a controlled-access highway where pedestrians are not permitted to cross, need not stop his vehicle upon meeting or passing a schoolbus which is on the opposite roadway.

10.16.290 Train signals.

A. The driver of a vehicle approaching a railroad grade crossing when a signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train shall stop within fifty feet but not less than ten feet from the nearest track of such railroad and shall not proceed until he can do so safely.

B. The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain standing and not traverse such grade crossing when a crossing gate is lowered or when a flagman gives a signal of the approach of a train.

C. The driver of any motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, or any schoolbus, or of any vehicle carrying explosives or flammable liquid as cargo, shall stop such vehicle within fifty but not less than ten feet from the tracks and shall listen and look in both directions from which a train might come before proceeding across such tracks at a grade crossing.

10.16.300 Funeral processions.

A. Funeral processions have the right-of-way at intersections when vehicles comprising such procession have their headlights lighted, subject to the following conditions and exceptions:

1. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible or visible signal.

2. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way when directed to do so by a traffic officer.

3. The operator of the leading vehicle in a funeral procession shall comply with stop signs and traffic-control signals, but when the leading vehicle has proceeded across an intersection in accordance with such signal or after stopping as required by the stop sign, all vehicles in such procession may proceed without stopping, regardless of the sign or signal and the leading vehicle and the vehicles in procession shall proceed with due caution.

B. The operator of a vehicle not in the funeral procession shall not drive his vehicle in the funeral procession except when authorized to do so by a traffic officer or when such vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible or visible signal.

C. Operators of vehicles not a part of a funeral procession may not form a procession or convoy and have their headlights lighted for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted by this section to funeral processions.

D. The operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession may overtake and pass the vehicles in such procession if such overtaking and passing can be accomplished without causing a traffic hazard or interfering with such procession.

E. The lead vehicle in the funeral procession may be equipped with a flashing amber light which may be used only when such vehicle is used as a lead vehicle in such procession. Vehicles comprising a funeral procession may utilize funeral pennants or flags or windshield stickers to identify the individual vehicles in such a procession.

10.16.310 Clinging to vehicles.

It is unlawful for any person on any street riding a bicycle, motorcycle or any toy vehicle to cling to or to attach himself or his vehicle to any moving motor vehicle or wagon.

10.16.320 Riding on outside of vehicles.

It is unlawful for any person to ride on the outside of any vehicle except upon a platform or step designed for this purpose and provided further that special brackets, bars or hand grips are mounted on the vehicle to hold to while riding on the platform or step.

10.16.330 Opening door into traffic lane.

It is unlawful to open any door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a motor vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

10.16.340 Unattended vehicles.

A. No vehicle shall be left unattended while the motor of such vehicle is running. No vehicle shall be left without a driver on any hill or incline unless the vehicle is secured against moving.

B. Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any bridge or causeway or in any tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such officer is authorized to provide for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety.

10.16.350 Bicycles and motorcycles.

It is unlawful for more than one person to ride upon any bicycle propelled by human power upon any street, or for any person to ride upon any motorcycle other than upon a seat permanently attached to the vehicle to the right or rear of the operator.

10.16.360 Toy vehicles.

It is unlawful for any person upon skates, a coaster, sled or other toy vehicle to go upon any roadway other than a crosswalk.

10.16.380 Prohibited use of streets, alleys, and rights-of-way.

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any sporting activity, including but not limited to baseball, basketball, and football, and any other amusement, which may have a tendency to annoy or endanger persons or property within any public street, alley or right-of-way within the village. (Ord. 91-9 § 1, 1991)