Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog

This summer, the Illinois legislature amended 625 ILCS 5/11-1002, an Illinois statute, which requires drivers to STOP and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using crosswalks if there are no traffic control devices present. Previously, the statute merely cautioned drivers to slow down or stop if need be, which caused confusion with both drivers and pedestrians.

Local newspapers have recently reported that the Chicago Police Department has stepped up its enforcement of the new crosswalk statute. In fact, soon all yellow yield signs that currently protect crosswalks should be replaced with red stop signs. Law enforcement officials hope that the new crosswalk law will enhance safety and minimize accidents involving cars and pedestrians.

In Illinois, the law does not compel a pedestrian to constantly stare in the direction of oncoming traffic. Sandquist v. Kefalopoulos, 49 Ill. App. 3d 456 (1st Dist. 1977). This Chicago personal injury attorney has found that the case law in Illinois holds that a pedestrian's failure to keep a constant lookout after he has reasonably and cautiously entered a street does not constitute contributory negligence. Moore v. Checker Taxi Co., 133 Ill. App. 2d 588 (1st Dist. 1971) (affirming jury's finding against defendants even though pedestrian did not use crosswalk when crossing the street).