The Illinois Senate has passed legislation in response to a deadly accident in the 54th Senate District involving a tanker carrying 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia that killed 5 people and injured 11. State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) filed the legislation at the request of Effingham County officials. The bill is designed to educate drivers about the dangers of hazardous materials that vehicles are transporting on Illinois roadways.

“My hope is that drivers, especially younger drivers, will be educated on how deadly even minor crashes can be that involve vehicles hauling hazardous materials,” said Senator McClure. “I’m hopeful that better educating drivers will help save lives.”

Senate Bill 3406, filed by McClure, will require the Illinois Secretary of State to include education on hazardous material placards in the Rules of the Road publication, which is used to educate students in drivers education classes. The aim of the legislation is to educate drivers so that they know when hazardous materials are being transported on the roads with them.

SB3406 passed the Senate and now awaits action in the Illinois House.