SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – It’s a problem no matter who becomes the victim, but Illinois State Police say they’ve seen far too many accidents this year where someone hit a squad car responding to an accident scene.
“Scott’s Law” requires motorists to slow down and, when possible, change lanes when they see any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights on.
“If someone violates ‘Scott’s Law,’ they commit a business offense, and they face a fine of no less than $250, or no more than $10,000 for a first offense,” said ISP Sgt. Delila Garcia.
Garcia says a violator could also get their drivers license revoked for anywhere from six months to two years.
“In 2021, there have been a total of 22 Illinois State Police vehicles struck or involved in crashes that are related to ‘Scott’s Law’, and thirteen troopers have sustained injuries,” said Garcia. “So, the numbers are up there.”
Thursday was “Scott’s Law Day” in Illinois — named after a Chicago firefighter, Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed by a drunk driver when responding to a crash scene on a Chicago expressway December 23, 2000.
