Scott’s Law: The “Move Over” Law

Scott’s Law mandates that drivers must slow down, move over, and proceed with caution when approaching an emergency, police, or maintenance vehicle on the side of the road. An emergency vehicle is to be defined as ANY vehicle with flashing red, white, blue, amber or yellow warning lights which includes commercial trucks and cars. When the owner or operator is engaged in his or her official duties, they are mandated by law to have oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights to warn drivers.

Scott’s Law was created after the death of several first responders specifically Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department. Lieutenant Scott Gillen lost his life after an intoxicated driver raced through an accident scene, he was assisting on the Dan Ryan Expressway. This law was created to protect emergency responders as well as police and fire officials while in the line of duty. Drivers are encouraged to think of the people working on the side of the road as if they are their family members.

Since the beginning of the year, 16 Illinois State Police troopers have been injured or died on state roads due to failure of following the law. Officials are working effortlessly to educate drivers about the “Move Over” law by distributing flyers to driver’s education schools in Illinois. Also, legislators have drafted a new bill that will require DMV’s to include a question about the law on state driver’s exams as well as have a reminder about the law on each registration renewal.

Tips for Yielding to an Emergency Vehicle

• Reduce the speed of the vehicle
• Change lanes and move over to the opposite lane if possible
• Proceed with caution

Taking all three of these actions is extremely pertinent and failure to do so could result in a ticket for Failure To Yield To An Emergency Vehicle. For example, you could reduce your speed but not change lanes, even though the lane is open.

Penalties of Scott’s Law

Failure to follow this law could result in a stiff penalty of up to $10,000. If the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they risk additional driving penalties depending on the damage. In such an event, the individual may face the following driving penalties:

• Suspension of driver’s license for 90 days to 1 year for property damage
• 180 days to 1 year for injury to another person
• 2 years for death to another person

There are a number of ways we can keep our emergency responders safe while in the line of duty. Remember to be alert when driving, pay attention to the road, and be aware of flashing emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road. Please spread the word about this law to your friends and family. It is our duty to “Protect Those Who Protect Us”.