Kara Sears
Scott's Law is a move-over law that requires motorists to change lanes and give safe clearance to law enforcement officers, emergency vehicles, and, in some cases, disabled vehicles. The law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while responding to a crash in 2000. Scott's Law is a mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois, and violations can result in fines of up to $10,000 and license suspension. In 2019, three Illinois State Police troopers were killed, and 26 police cars were struck by drivers who failed to follow Scott's Law. While the specifics of Scott's Law vary by state, the general principle is that drivers must move over to the left lane when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle to provide a buffer and help prevent accidents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Scott's Law? | A mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois |
| What does it require motorists to do? | Move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulances, utility workers, and in some cases, tow-truck drivers and disabled vehicles |
| What is the fine for violating Scott's Law? | A fine of up to $10,000 and up to a year of license suspension |
| What is the punishment if the violation results in the death of another person? | A two-year license suspension |
| How many Illinois State Police troopers were killed in 2019 due to drivers failing to follow Scott's Law? | 3 |
| How many police cars were struck in the same year and for the same reason? | 26 |
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What You'll Learn
- Scott's Law is a mandatory move over law in Illinois
- It requires motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to emergency vehicles
- Violation of Scott's Law can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and license suspension
- The law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed by a driver while responding to a crash
- Similar move over laws exist in other US states and Canadian provinces
Scott's Law is a mandatory move over law in Illinois
Scott's Law, 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c), is a mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois. The law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while responding to a crash on December 23, 2000. The law requires motorists to move over and change lanes when encountering stopped or disabled emergency vehicles displaying warning lights. This includes emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars, as well as other authorized vehicles such as Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) vehicles and snowplows.
The original version of Scott's Law mandated that vehicles approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle with flashing warning lights must yield by reducing speed and changing lanes. An amendment to the law came into effect on August 18, 2017, extending its protection to all stopped vehicles with warning lights, including commercial cars and trucks with hazard lights. This amendment updated the definition of an authorized emergency vehicle to include any vehicle authorized by law to be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights while the operator is engaged in their official duties.
Violations of Scott's Law can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and a license suspension of up to one year. If the violation results in the death of another person, the penalty includes a two-year license suspension. In 2019, three Illinois State Police troopers were killed, and 26 police cars were struck by drivers who failed to comply with Scott's Law.
Move-over laws are in place to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and are observed across all fifty states. These laws require drivers to give a one-lane buffer to stopped emergency vehicles or slow down to a reasonable or defined speed limit if changing lanes is not possible. In some states, move-over laws also apply to other vehicles, such as tow trucks, construction vehicles, and disabled vehicles.
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It requires motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to emergency vehicles
Scott's Law is a mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois, named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while responding to a crash in 2000. The law requires motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to emergency vehicles. This includes police cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks, as well as Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) vehicles and snowplows.
Under Scott's Law, motorists must take specific actions when approaching any emergency vehicle stopped along the roadway. They must reduce their speed, make a lane change, and use caution to give ample clearance to the emergency vehicle. This law is designed to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and to provide a clear roadway for emergency vehicles to respond quickly to incidents.
The original iteration of Scott's Law specified that vehicles approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle with flashing warning lights must yield the right-of-way by slowing down and changing lanes. An amendment to the law in 2017 extended its protection to all stopped vehicles with warning lights, including commercial cars and trucks with hazard lights. This amendment broadened the definition of an authorized emergency vehicle to include any vehicle authorized by law to be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights while its operator is engaged in official duties.
Violations of Scott's Law can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and license suspension. In 2019, three Illinois State Police troopers were killed, and 26 police cars were struck by drivers who failed to comply with Scott's Law, highlighting the importance of adhering to this legislation for the safety of emergency personnel.
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Violation of Scott's Law can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and license suspension
Scott's Law is a mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois, named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle at an accident scene. The law requires motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulances, utility workers, and in some cases, tow-truck drivers and disabled vehicles.
Under Scott's Law, when approaching any police or other emergency vehicles stopped along the roadway, motorists must reduce their speed, change lanes, and use caution. This includes emergency vehicles, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) vehicles, and snowplows, among others.
A violation of Scott's Law can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and license suspension. If the violation is committed by an aggravated offender, such as someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the penalty may include a suspension of driving privileges for 90 days to 1 year. In the case of a violation resulting in the death of another person, the penalty may include a two-year license suspension. For example, in 2019, three Illinois State Police troopers were killed and 26 police cars were struck by drivers who failed to follow Scott's Law.
It is important to note that move-over laws are in place to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and to prevent accidents. Similar laws exist in other states and Canadian provinces, with some variations in the specific requirements for drivers. These laws are essential for ensuring the safety of emergency responders and motorists alike.
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The law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed by a driver while responding to a crash
Scott's Law is a mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois, which requires motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to emergency vehicles. The law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed by a driver while responding to a crash. On December 23, 2000, Gillen, a 14-year member and lieutenant of the Chicago Fire Department, was responding to a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. He suffered multiple injuries when he was hit by a passing vehicle at the accident scene and died as a result.
Scott's Law was enacted to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and to reduce the number of roadside fatalities. Under the law, motorists must move over when encountering stopped or disabled emergency vehicles displaying warning lights. This includes police cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks. Failure to comply with Scott's Law can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and up to a year of license suspension. If the violation results in the death of another person, the penalty increases to a two-year license suspension.
The move over law first came into existence in 1996 in South Carolina, after paramedic James D. Garcia was struck and injured at an accident scene. He was listed as at fault by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which led to his work in creating this law. The law was revised in 2002 to increase enforceability and fines. In 2000, a series of similar incidents across the US prompted the US Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to address Emergency Scene Safety, leading to recommended changes in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
As of 2019, all fifty states in the US have passed move over laws, with Washington, D.C., being the only exception. These laws vary in their specifics, with some providing explicit directions for drivers, while others are more vague. For example, some laws require drivers to move to a non-adjacent lane or the lane farthest from the emergency vehicle, while others simply instruct drivers to use due care and provide as much space as practical. In Canada, move over laws typically require motorists to move to the shoulder and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
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Similar move over laws exist in other US states and Canadian provinces
The move over law first came into existence in 1996 in South Carolina, after a paramedic, James D. Garcia, was struck and injured at an accident scene. The South Carolina Highway Patrol deemed Garcia at fault, which prompted him to advocate for this law. In 2000, Kansas became the first state to officially enact the law, and Hawaii was the latest to follow suit in 2012.
In Canada, move over laws require motorists to move to the shoulder and stop when they notice an incoming emergency vehicle with sirens or flashing lights. This gives the emergency vehicle a clear roadway to respond to the situation. The provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan were the first to implement such laws. In 2005, Alberta expanded its move over laws to include requirements for drivers to slow down or move over when passing stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks on the side of a highway. Quebec's move over law, established in 2012, is unique in that it applies to a broader range of service vehicles, including tow trucks, police cars, and highway department patrol vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
Scott's Law is a mandatory move-over law in the state of Illinois. The law requires that all motorists move over when encountering stopped or disabled emergency vehicles displaying warning lights.
Violations of Scott's Law are punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to a year of license suspension. If the violation results in the death of another person, the penalty is a two-year license suspension.
Scott's Law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while responding to a crash in 2000. The law aims to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and reduce roadside fatalities.
Yes, Scott's Law applies to all motorists, including police officers. In 2019, three Illinois State Police troopers were killed and 26 police cars were struck by drivers who failed to follow Scott's Law.
