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Slow down and move over!

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Illinois

* Ugh…

On August 2, 2020, at approximately 2:10 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) District Chicago Troopers were on the scene of a jackknifed commercial motor vehicle traffic crash with lane closures on Interstate 94 northbound at 95th Street in Cook County.

During the initial traffic crash investigation, as a Trooper was seated inside of his fully marked stationary squad car with the emergency lights activated, his squad car was struck. A 2000 Silver Honda, drove through the lane closures, failed to yield to authorized emergency vehicles, and sideswiped the driver’s side of the Trooper’s squad car. The Trooper did not sustain any injuries. The driver of the Honda, who was identified as Shante T. Newson, 31-year-old female of Chicago, Illinois, was arrested for Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Driving Under the Influence and cited for a violation of Scott’s Law; other charges pending. The Investigation is still open and ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

The ISP would like to remind the public of the requirements of Scott’s Law, otherwise known as the “Move Over” law. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down, and move over and change lanes if possible.

“Please avoid an unnecessary tragedy by making responsible choices when behind the wheel,” stated ISP District Chicago Captain, Angelo Mollo. “Emergency personnel risk their lives daily to protect others. We would like to remind the motoring public to please obey all traffic laws, including the “Move Over” (Scott’s) Law, in order to protect the lives of our Troopers, other first responders and all members of the public,” he concluded.

A close call and it could’ve been a lot worse…

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 11:21 am

Comments

First things first, don’t drive drunk. Sober drivers are much more proficient at obeying all the other laws and such. No excuses to Mr. Newsome but once you drink and get behind wheel of vehicle, you cede most control over subsequent decisions to the drunken state. Still guilty of violating all of them, however.

Comment by CitizensAgainstDrunkDriving Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 11:28 am
Close call indeed glad no one was hurt or worse!

Comment by Levois J Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 11:28 am
I don’t understand why people can’t just slow down. Sounds like in this case she needed someone to drive for her. To many Police Officers are getting hit on the roads these days.

Comment by Club J Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 11:39 am
Would like to take this chance to say this: move over as soon as you see the lights and can tell which side of the road its on.

This allows traffic behind you to see it sooner.

I know this isn’t always possible. It really helps when you can do it though.

Comment by Winderweezle Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 12:18 pm
Glad the trooper is fine.

Yes, I know this was apparently a DUI but I don’t understand why some people don’t just move over for anything stopped on the side of the road. I will say that, at least downstate, I do see pretty consistent compliance with Scott’s Law.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 12:57 pm
@Rnug I would say in “non-metro” settings, excluding intoxicated drivers, there are three situations that seem to impact “move over” violations: 1) inattentive drivers; 2) “late” move overs, especially by semi’s, that prevent other drivers behind them from seeing lights in time to move over; 3) older drivers that just aren’t very comfortable with lane changes or driving in the left lane.

Comment by Winderweezle Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 1:28 pm
The only time I don’t move over is if there’s no room in the next lane.

But I will slow down, and if the jerk behind me wants to honk at me, too bad for him.

Comment by JoanP Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 4:06 pm
Want to know how scary it is to be a trooper even for 30 seconds? Pull your ride over on south I-55 say just south of 1st Avenue at 10 pm (w your flashers on !) Get out, walk around your car 2 times, after you almost wet yourself from cars and trucks wizzing past, get back in and say a prayer for ISP officers and other first responders as you drive away.

Comment by theCardinal Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 4:57 pm
I would like to remind drivers that construction zone speed limits are not a suggestion. Several necessary trips between Springfield and Chicago the past couple weeks got scary with people actually passing on the shoulder to get around me doing the posted zone limit. Of course, no ISP were anywhere near the zones, so I’m speaking into the wind about this.

Comment by My New Handle Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 5:25 pm
Move over makes sense but drivers need to be sensible about it too. Recently, on I-55 a semi swerved into the left lane as I was passing him when he saw a vehicle on the right shoulder. He probably didn’t see me but I had to go down into the grassy area to avoid a wreck. So move over but check your surroundings first.

Comment by HighSox Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 8:49 pm