Politics & Government
Senate approves Nybo's bill increasing penalties for exceeding driving limits
Senator Nybo and State's Attorney Berlin are working to increase penalties for truck drivers or companies who exceed driving limits.
SPRINGFIELD – The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by State Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) to increase criminal penalties for truck drivers and their employers who exceed legal limits on driving hours and, as a result, cause serious traffic accidents.
Suggested by DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, Senate Bill 1582 increases penalties for violating motor carrier drivers’ hours-of-service regulations if the violation is determined to be a proximate cause of great bodily harm or death to another person. The legislation would affect drivers and the companies who force their drivers to drive beyond legal limits and falsify driving logs.
“This is an initiative of DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin in connection with two very serious accidents that took place within the last year, involving truck drivers who drove far longer than federal regulations allow,” Nybo said. “Our State’s Attorney felt he could not seek proper penalties for the individuals prosecuted for those accidents, so this legislation seeks a sentencing enhancement to levels commensurate with the crimes.”
Find out what's happening in Glen Ellynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Berlin testified on behalf of Senate Bill 1582 during the Senate Criminal Law Committee hearing March 18.
Senate Bill 1582 states that a driver who willfully violates regulations pertaining to motor carrier drivers’ hours-of-service can be charged with a Class 3 felony (now Class 4 felony) when the violation was a proximate cause of great bodily harm or death to another person.
Find out what's happening in Glen Ellynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The legislation also states that any owner or company who forces their drivers to drive beyond legal limits and falsify driving logs can be charged with a Class 2 felony when the violation was a proximate cause of great bodily harm or death to another person.
“It is important to note that this legislation does not focus solely on drivers. We are also seeking accountability from the employers who push their drivers to put in more time behind the wheel than they are allowed by law,” Nybo said.
Senate Bill 1582 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
