SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House could soon vote on a plan to educate more drivers about vehicles transporting hazardous materials following the tragic accident in Teutopolis that killed five people and left 11 others injured last October.

Senate Bill 3406 would require the Secretary of State to include education on hazardous material placards in the Illinois Rules of the Road book students read during their driver education courses.

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Sponsors hope this change can help drivers know that they should take more caution when they see vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

"It’s not to the extent of receiving your hazardous materials license, but it just allows in particular young drivers to recognize the hazards that may be around them on the road," said Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville).



Sponsors hope this change can help drivers know that they should take more caution when they see vehicles transporting hazardous materials.



Davidsmeyer and Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said this commonsense legislation can save lives.

"My hope is that drivers, especially young drivers, will be educated on how deadly even minor crashes can be that involve vehicles hauling hazardous materials," McClure said.

Senate Bill 3406 passed unanimously out of the House Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee and now moves to the House floor for further consideration. The measure previously received unanimous support in the Senate. 

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