(A) Except as hereinafter 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.
(B) 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 said driver, having so yielded and having given a signal, when is as required by this Article, may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from said opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making the left turn.
(C) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made safely and without backing into traffic or otherwise interfering with traffic.
(D) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to make a “U” turn at any place where such turns are prohibited.
(E) Upon the sounding of gongs or warning devices used upon fire apparatus or fire patrol vehicles, drivers shall drive their vehicles as near to the right curb as is reasonably possible and shall remain standing until such fire apparatus has passed. It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped to answer a fire alarm.
(F) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement.
(2) When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair.
(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or
(4) Upon a roadway designated and sign posted for one-way traffic.
(5) Whenever there is single track paved road on one side of the public highway and two vehicles meet thereon, the driver on whose right is the wider shoulder, shall give the right-of-way on such pavement to the other vehicle.
(G) Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite direction 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.
(H) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn. The driver of a vehicle may overtake, and, allowing sufficient clearance, pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, either upon the left or upon the right on a street or roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for four or more lines of moving traffic, when such movement can be made in safety.
(b) No person shall drive off the pavement or upon the shoulder of the roadway in overtaking or passing on the right. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right on a one-way street or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the street or roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lanes of moving traffic.
(4) 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 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 the right hand side of the roadway before coming within 100 feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
(5) No vehicle shall, in overtaking and passing another vehicle or at any other time, be driven to the left side of the street or roadway under the following conditions:
(a) When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway.
(b) When approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel, or when approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing.
(6) The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.
(7) When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
(8) 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 said driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this article, may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from said opposite direction, shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making the left turn.
(9) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained such movement can be made with safety.
(10) When Signals Are Required.
(a) No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a street or alley 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 pedestrians shall be affected by such movement or after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided by this Article, in the event that any other vehicle may be affected by such movement.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
(c) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear, when there is opportunity to give such signal.
(11) Signal by Hand or Arm or Signal Device.
(a) The signals herein required shall be given either by means of the hand or arm or by a signal lamp or signal device, but when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded that a hand or arm signal would not be visible, both to the front and rear of such vehicle, then said signals must be given by such lamp or device. All signals herein required to be given by the hand and 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 extend upward.
3. Stop or decrease speed - hand and aim extended downward.
(b) No person shall drive a motor vehicle onto or from any limited access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.
(12) Driver’s License. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on the streets or roadways of the City unless such person has a valid driver’s license or permit as an operator or chauffeur issued by the State of Illinois, except those persons exempted from driver’s license and permit requirements as provided by the laws of the State of Illinois.
(13) Stop Signs.
(a) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway, before entering the intersection.
(b) After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another roadway or which is approaching so closely on the roadway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time often the driver is moving across or within the intersection, but said driver having so yielded may proceed at such time as a safe interval occurs.
(Prior Code, Art. 18, § 18.11)