SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES

104th Regular Session Introduced by Janet Yang Rohr

Illinois House resolution urges safe driving by focusing on ability, not age, and promotes education, driver improvement, and family talks about driving.

Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Overview / Main purpose

H.R. 402 is a House resolution titled “SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES.” It urges Illinois citizens and licensed drivers to emphasize safe driving through education, driver improvement, family conversations about driving ability, and use of modern vehicle safety features. The resolution emphasizes evidence‑based approaches to traffic safety that focus on actual driving capabilities rather than demographic factors such as age.

Key provisions and content

Recognizes research and partnerships:

Cites the National Safety Council (NSC) in partnership with the Illinois Secretary of State (IL SOS) as supporters of focusing on driving ability rather than age.
References U.S. Census data and NSC research concluding age alone is not determinative of driving ability.
References a 2023 Illinois Department of Transportation study reporting that drivers aged 75 and older had lower crash rates compared to other age groups.
Notes that in 2024, of 55,000 Illinois drivers aged 79–86 required to take a behind‑the‑wheel test, 97 (0.17%) failed and were denied licenses.

Urges:

Licensed drivers in Illinois to practice safe driving behaviors.
Families to have open conversations about driving ability and to recognize how modern vehicle safety features can support independence and safety.
Emphasis on driver improvement, education, and evidence‑based initiatives protecting all road users.

Non‑regulatory nature: The resolution does not propose statutory changes, funding, or new licensing requirements; it is an expression of the legislative body’s views and recommendations.

Who would be affected

Primarily symbolic: licensed drivers in Illinois, families of drivers, and state agencies involved in driver safety and education (e.g., IL SOS, IDOT).

Road‑safety advocates and organizations (e.g., NSC) may use the resolution as an endorsement for education and capability‑based safety programs.

No direct regulatory or enforcement impact on motorists (no penalties or new legal requirements).

Procedural status and timeline (as recorded)

Introduced in House: January 14, 2025

Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means: January 14, 2025

House actions (selected): Filed Feb 27, 2025; Read and Adopted / First Readers Feb 26, 2025; Placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions Calendar Mar 13, 2025; Adopted Mar 13, 2025; Reported Enrolled Mar 14, 2025.

Later actions: Filed with Clerk by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr May 29, 2025; Referred to Rules Committee May 30, 2025.

Current listed status: Referred to Rules Committee.

Impact and limitations

The resolution is primarily declaratory and educational — intended to promote awareness and influence behavior and policy discussion.

It does not change Illinois law, driver licensing rules, or allocate funding for programs.

Potential practical effects include increased public attention on capability‑based assessments, encouragement of family conversations about driving, and support for education or voluntary programs promoted by NSC or IL SOS.

Notes / drafting observations

The introduced text contains duplicated and partially garbled passages and incorporates an additional distinct commendation/resolution (recognizing Reign Over Cancer Inc.). This suggests the filing may include merged or duplicated language; readers should consult the final enrolled or official legislative text for the definitive version.

Bill