[8-2-1966]
This Title shall be known as the "Traffic Code of the Village
of Thornton." In the event of conflict between any provision of this
Title and the Illinois Vehicle Code, the applicable provision of the
Illinois Vehicle Code shall control.
[8-2-1966]
Whenever in this Title the following words and phrases are used,
they shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this
section.
A motor vehicle standing or parked on the public way, which
vehicle is either a) in such state of disrepair as to be incapable
of being driven in its present condition, or b) has not been moved
or used for more than seven consecutive days and is apparently deserted.
Police vehicles, vehicles of the Fire Department, ambulances
and emergency vehicles of Municipal departments or public service
corporations as are designated or authorized by proper local authorities,
and vehicles used by members of the Fire Department when operated
and equipped as required of this Title.
Every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 10 passengers
and used for the transportation of persons.
That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the
prolongation or connection of sidewalk lines at intersections, or
any other portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing
by markings.
Every person who operates or is in actual physical control
of a vehicle.
A procession consisting of motor vehicles which are designed
and used for the carrying of not more than seven passengers, a funeral
hearse and floral cars, or combinations thereof with any of the following
added-foot units and equestrian units, proceeding to a place of burial.
The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of
the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines
of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately
at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon
different roadways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
A roadway which is divided into two or more marked lanes
for vehicular traffic.
Every public way in respect to which owners or occupants
of abutting property or lands and other persons have no legal right
of access to or from the same, except at such points only and in such
manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction
over such public way.
A maneuver executed by the drivers of vehicles on converging
roadways to permit simultaneous or alternate entry into the junction
thereof, wherein the driver of each vehicle involved is required to
adjust his vehicular speed and lateral position so as to avoid a collision
with any other vehicle.
Every vehicle which is self-propelled.
Every motorcycle, including every power scooter, power cycle
with a motor which produces not to exceed five brake horsepower, and
every bicycle with motor attached.
Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider
and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with
the ground but excluding a tractor.
A public way upon the roadway of which traffic is permitted
to travel in only one direction.
Every person who operates or is in actual physical control
of a vehicle.
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, upon
a roadway, for a period of time greater than is reasonably necessary
either for loading or unloading or in obedience to traffic regulations
or official traffic signs or signals.
That portion between the curb line or the lateral lines of
a roadway and the adjacent property line, except that where a sidewalk
has been constructed or laid, it is between the curb line or the lateral
lines of a roadway to the nearest portion of the sidewalk.
Any person afoot.
Every natural person, firm, copartnership, association or
corporation.
Every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or
to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
Every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular
travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission
from the owner but not by other persons.
Any sidewalk, roadway or other public thoroughfare open to
the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of travel.
The privilege of the immediate use of the highway.
That portion of a public way between the regularly established
curb lines or that part improved and intended to be used for vehicular
travel.
Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying
persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so
constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests
upon or is carried by another vehicle.
That portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral
lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the
use of pedestrians.
When required, means complete cessation of movement.
When prohibited, means any stopping or standing of a vehicle,
whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with
other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer
or traffic-control sign or signal.
The entire width between property lines of every way or place
of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the
public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic.
Every highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which
vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to
stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are
erected as provided in this Title.
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other
conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for
purposes of travel.
All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent
with the "Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways" placed or erected
by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for
the purposes of regulating, warning or guiding traffic, including
railroad signals.
Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically
operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to
proceed, including railroad signals.
Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying
persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so
constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved
by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
When required by an official sign, means the act of granting
the privilege of the immediate use of the intersecting roadway to
traffic within the intersection and to vehicles approaching from the
right or left, but when the roadway is clear may proceed into the
intersection.
[8-2-1966]
A.
Obedience to devices. 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.
Traffic-control signal legend. Whenever traffic is controlled by
traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights successively
one at a time, in combination or with arrows, the following colors
only shall be used and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers
of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
1.
Green Alone or "Go":
a.
Vehicular traffic facing the signal indication may proceed straight
through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits
either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning
right or left, 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 indication is illuminated.
b.
Pedestrians facing the signal indication may proceed across
the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
2.
Green With Green Arrow:
a.
Vehicular traffic facing such signal indications may proceed
straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place
prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic within a lane designated
and restricted as a turning lane only shall enter an intersection
only to make the movement indicated by such arrow when it is illuminated
and 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 indications may proceed across
the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
3.
Yellow or "Caution" When Shown With or Following the Green or
"Go" Signal:
a.
Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering
the nearest crosswalk at the intersection, but if such stop cannot
be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the
intersection.
b.
No pedestrian facing such signal indications shall enter the
roadway until the green or "Go" signal indication is illuminated alone
unless authorized so to do by a pedestrian "Walk" signal indication.
4.
Yellow or "Caution" When Illuminated in Combination With the
Red or "Stop" Signal Indication:
a.
Vehicular traffic facing the signal indications is thereby informed
that the green or "Go" signal indication will be illuminated immediately
thereafter and such vehicular traffic shall remain standing until
the green or "Go" signal indication is illuminated alone.
b.
No pedestrian facing such signal indications shall enter the
roadway until green or "Go" signal indication is illuminated alone
unless authorized so to do by a pedestrian "Walk" signal indication.
5.
Red or "Stop":
a.
Vehicular traffic facing the signal indication shall stop before
entering the intersection at a marking on the pavement indicating
where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such marking
shall stop at the signal device and shall remain standing until the
green or "Go" signal indication is illuminated alone.
b.
No pedestrian facing such signal indication shall enter the
roadway unless he can do so safely and without interfering with any
vehicular traffic.
6.
Red With Green Arrow or Green Arrow Alone:
a.
Vehicular traffic facing such signal indications may cautiously
enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such
arrow but shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within
the crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
b.
No pedestrian facing such signal indications or indication shall
enter the roadway until the green or "Go" signal indication is illuminated
alone unless authorized so to do by a pedestrian "Walk" signal indication.
7.
Application of Provisions. 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 those
provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop
required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating
where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign
or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.
C.
Flashing signals. Whenever flashing red or yellow signal indications
are used, they shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
1.
Flashing Red (Stop Signal Indication). When a red lens is illuminated
with rapid intermittent flashes, the operator of any vehicle 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
at the signal, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules
applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
2.
Flashing Yellow (Caution Signal Indication). When a yellow lens
is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, the operator of any
vehicle may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only
with caution.
D.
Avoidance of signals. No operator of a vehicle shall attempt to avoid
obedience to any traffic-control device or traffic-control signal
by driving upon or through any private property, any alley or any
traffic island.
E.
Traffic lanes. Where traffic lanes have been marked to preserve a
regular alignment of traffic, it shall be unlawful for the driver
of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep his vehicle within the designated
boundaries of any such lane except when lawfully passing another vehicle.
F.
Application to trucks. Whenever official signs are erected prohibiting
the use of any street or part of a street by trucks or other commercial
vehicles or imposing set limitations upon such vehicles using said
street or part of a street as authorized herein, no person shall drive
a truck or other commercial vehicle upon any such street or part of
a street in violation of any such signs, except for the purpose of
delivering or picking up materials or merchandise, and then only by
entering such street at the intersection nearest the destination of
the vehicle and proceeding thereon no farther than the nearest intersection
thereafter.
G.
Interference with devices. No person shall, without lawful authority,
attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove
any official traffic-control device or any inscription, shield or
insignia thereon, or any part thereof.
H.
Unauthorized devices.
1.
No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of
any public way any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which
purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control
device, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which
hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official
traffic-control device, and no person shall place or maintain nor
shall any public authority permit upon any public way any traffic
sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This shall
not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent
to public ways of signs giving useful directional information and
of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
2.
Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared
to be a public nuisance and the Superintendent of Streets is hereby
empowered to and shall remove the same or cause it to be removed without
notice.
I.
Posting signs. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Streets
to post adequate signs for the effective enforcement of this § 9-2-3.
[8-2-1966]
A.
Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade
crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the
driver of such vehicle shall stop not less than 10 feet from the nearest
rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely.
The foregoing requirements shall apply when:
1.
A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives
warning of the immediate approach of a train.
2.
A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or
continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train.
3.
A train approaching within approximately 1,500 feet of the street
or highway crossing emits a signal audible from such a distance and
such train, by reason of its speed or nearness to such crossing, is
an immediate hazard.
4.
An approaching train is plainly visible and is in hazardous
proximity to such crossing.
B.
No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing
gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing while such gate or barrier
is closed or is being opened or closed.
C.
The provisions of this section shall also be applicable to elevated
railroad grade crossings where elevated railroad trains operate at
ground level.
[8-2-1966]
A.
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to
an emergency call or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator
of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire
alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but
subject to the conditions herein stated.
B.
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
1.
Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this Title.
2.
Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after
slowing down as may be necessary, for safe operation.
3.
Exceed the speed limits so long as he does not endanger life
or property.
4.
Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning
in specified directions.
C.
The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle
shall apply only when the driver of any said vehicle while in motion
sounds audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be
reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least
one lighted lamp displaying an oscillating, rotating or flashing beam
visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500
feet to the front of such vehicle, except that an authorized emergency
vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or
display a lighted lamp as required herein, nor need the driver of
a police vehicle while in motion sound an audible signal by bell,
siren or exhaust whistle if such police vehicle is displaying an oscillating,
rotating or flashing beam as described heretofore.
D.
The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized
emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety
of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from
the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.
[8-2-1966]
A.
No person shall throw or deposit upon any public way any glass bottle,
glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans or any other substance likely to injure
any person, animal or vehicle upon such public way.
B.
Any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any
public way any destructive or injurious material shall immediately
remove the same or cause it to be removed.
C.
Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a public way
shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the
highway from such vehicle.
[8-2-1966]
It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon any motor vehicle
on any public way within the Village. Any motor vehicle standing or
parked on any public way in such a state of disrepair as to be incapable
of being driven in its condition, or any motor vehicle which has not
been moved or used for more than seven consecutive days and is apparently
deserted shall be presumed to have been abandoned. Each day such vehicle
remains so abandoned shall constitute a separate and distinct offense
for which a separate penalty may be imposed. Such vehicles may be
removed and stored by the Village at the expense of the owner.
[8-2-1966]
No person other than a police officer shall move a vehicle,
not lawfully under his control, into any area where stopping, standing
or parking is prohibited or away from a curb or edge of roadway such
distance as is unlawful or start or cause to be started the motor
of any motor vehicle, or shift, change or move the levers, brake,
starting device, gears or other mechanism, of a parked motor vehicle,
to a position other than that in which it was left by the owner or
driver thereof, or attempt to do so.
[8-2-1966]
No person shall ride on any vehicle upon any portion thereof
not designed or intended for the use of passengers. This provision
shall not apply to an employee engaged in the necessary discharge
of a duty, or to persons riding within the truck bodies in space intended
for merchandise.
[8-2-1966]
A.
Any person convicted of violation of any of the following provisions
shall be subject to the fine and/or penalty therefor as stated by
the Illinois Vehicle Code:
B.
General Penalty. Any person convicted of a violation of any sections
of this Title for which a penalty and/or fine has not been provided
for elsewhere within this Title or amendments thereto shall be fined
not less than $25 and not more than $500.
[12-2-1996; amended 8-20-2018]
A.
Pursuant to Section 5/20-204 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS
5/20-204), there is hereby adopted by reference the Illinois Vehicle
Code, as amended, 625 ILCS 5/1-100 et seq., except for those administrative
provisions which by their nature cannot apply to the Village. The
definitions set forth in the Illinois Vehicle Code shall apply to
this chapter. In the case of conflict between the Village of Thornton
Traffic Code and the Illinois Vehicle Code, the applicable provision
of the Illinois Vehicle Code as amended shall control. Three (3) copies
of the Illinois Vehicle Code as amended shall be filed with the Village
Clerk and shall be kept on file in the office of the Village Clerk
and kept available for public use, inspection, and examination.
B.
In referring to a violation of any of the provisions of the Illinois
Vehicle Code, as adopted in this section, the violation shall be noted
by referring to this section and then citing the appropriate chapter
and section number of the Illinois Vehicle Code as set forth therein.
C.
Whoever violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of
the Illinois Vehicle Code, as adopted by this section, shall be subject
to the penalties provided in such Vehicle Code, except that in no
case shall imprisonment or a fine less than one hundred dollars ($100.00)
or in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) be imposed for each
offense; except anyone found to have violated 625 ILCS 5/15-101 et
seq. as it pertains to this section shall be subject to the fine schedules
stated in 625 ILCS 5/15-113.
