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* Press release…
On February 2, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated three separate traffic crashes involving ISP squad cars. Two Troopers were struck in ISP District 9 – Springfield and one in ISP District 10 – Pesotum. The two crashes in ISP District 9 were both Move Over Law related.
On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at approximately 7:40 a.m., an ISP District 9 Trooper was on the left shoulder of Interstate 72 westbound at mile post 122, near Illiopolis, assisting a stranded motorist who had slid off the roadway due to weather conditions. The squad car was stationary with all of its emergency lights activated. A gray Chevrolet Impala traveling westbound failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle, slid on the roadway and struck the rear end of the ISP squad car. The driver of the Chevrolet, 29-year-old Anthony L. Newman of Springfield, IL, was uninjured. The Trooper was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and has since been treated and released. While this crash remains under investigation, a violation of the Move Over Law was a contributing factor.
On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at approximately 12:36 p.m., a Trooper working in ISP District 10 was traveling on Interstate 57 southbound at milepost 181, south of Mattoon in the right lane, without emergency lights activated. A black 2016 Chevrolet Trax driven by Dalton M. McCarthy, a 20-year-old male of Maryland Heights, MO., was traveling in the left lane. As McCarthy passed the Trooper’s squad car, McCarthy lost control on the slick pavement and struck the rear of the squad car. Neither McCarthy nor the Trooper were injured in the crash. McCarthy was cited for Following Too Closely. (No photo available.)
On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at approximately 3:22 p.m., a Trooper working in ISP District 9 was on the right shoulder of the ramp from southbound Veterans Parkway to Interstate 72 eastbound, in the southwest corner of Springfield, handling a crash. The fully marked squad car was stationary with its emergency lights activated. A vehicle traveling on the ramp lost control on the ice, struck the rear bumper of the squad car, and pushed the squad into the initial wrecked vehicle. The driver of the offending vehicle was uninjured; however, the Trooper was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. While this crash remains under investigation, a violation of the Move Over Law was a contributing factor.
“The brave men and women of the Illinois State Police (ISP) have placed themselves in harm’s way throughout the day today, will continue to do so throughout the night and will be there long after this winter storm has passed,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. He continued, “If there is one thing those courageous souls understand it is the fragility of life, yet they continue to do the work of the people, protecting and serving. Please, everyone, stay at home. If you absolutely have to get out, move over and slow down upon approach of first responders. Give them the room they need to assist other motorists and get home safely to their families.”
So far this year, there have been three ISP squad cars struck in relation to the Move Over Law and two Troopers have sustained injuries from Move Over Law-related crashes. The ISP would like to remind the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as the “Scott’s Law”. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over. A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.
* Photos…
“The brave men & women of the ISP have placed themselves in harm’s way throughout the day today, will continue to do so throughout the night & will be there long after this winter storm has passed…they continue to do the work of the people, protecting & serving.” -Director Kelly pic.twitter.com/uqMFCjzLCa
— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) February 3, 2022
*** UPDATE *** C’mon, people…
On February 3, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated three separate traffic crashes involving ISP squad cars. Two Troopers were struck in ISP District 10 – Pesotum and one in ISP District 5 – Lockport. The crash in ISP District 5 was Move Over Law related.
On Thursday, February 3, 2022, at approximately 2:00 a.m., an ISP District 10 Trooper was handling a crash on the right shoulder of Interstate 74 eastbound at mile post 188 near Urbana. The squad car was stationary with all of its emergency lights activated. A Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer driven by Leonard A. Smith, a 30-year-old male of Trenton, NJ, sideswiped the ISP squad car. Neither Smith nor the Trooper were injured in the crash. Smith was cited for Driving Too Fast for Conditions.
On Thursday, February 3, 2022, at approximately 5:19 a.m., an ISP District 5 Trooper was in the right lane of Interstate 80 westbound at mile post 139 near New Lenox, conducting traffic control for a tow truck. The marked squad car was stationary with all of its lights activated. A red Mazda traveling westbound failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle, slid on the roadway and struck the rear end of the ISP squad car. Neither the driver of the Mazda nor the Trooper were injured in the crash. The driver of the Mazda was cited for Driving Too Fast for Conditions, Improper Lane Usage, and Scott’s Law Violation.
On Thursday, February 3, 2022, at approximately 10:00 a.m., an ISP District 10 Trooper was traveling westbound on Interstate 74 at mile post 203 near Muncie. A blue Volkswagen Passat traveling westbound struck the rear end of the ISP squad car. Neither the driver of the Volkswagen nor the Trooper were injured in the crash. This crash is still pending further investigation. (No photo available.)
“During inclement weather, obeying Scott’s Law is even more important,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. He continued, “As the officers of the Illinois State Police (ISP) continue to put their lives on the line, we ask you, the motoring public, to help them out by Slowing Down and Moving Over while they do their jobs.”
So far this year, there have been four ISP squad cars struck in relation to the Move Over Law and two Troopers have sustained injuries from Move Over Law-related crashes. The ISP would like to remind the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as the “Scott’s Law”. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over. A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 8:28 am
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Thanks for posting this. Please, please, please move over and slow down for ANY vehicle on the side of the road with their lights flashing. It is not just a law, it saves lives.
Comment by NotSoCivilEngineer Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 8:33 am
Always wondered the thoughts going through one’s mind the moment before they hit a cop car.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 8:46 am
For the second one, where the cop was getting passed and the driver passing them lost control, I don’t understand the citation for “Following Too Closely”. It’s legal to pass other cars. Too fast for conditions I can see, but I don’t get the logic behind following too closely, unless the passing car was too close when he started passing, and hit the cop as he was changing lanes? Anyway, it seems weird.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 8:47 am
Always wondered the thoughts going through one’s mind the moment before they hit a cop car.
Seems like it ranges between absolutely nothing at all to let me check my phone
Comment by SOIL M Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 8:52 am
I believe someone has determined through research that during the pandemic era , people are driving less and having more accidents. It seems to be more self destructive behavior
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 9:41 am
Have DOT dispatch a snowplow truck to the scene to block traffic?
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 9:53 am
We tried driver’s education, brighter and more visible emergency lighting systems, public service reminder campaigns, etc. But I’m beginning to believe all these violations should be Class 4 Felonies now (it is now only for death or injuries). People continue to not get the message, and as someone who was out there doing traffic control on scenes, only to have idiot drivers make dangerous and illegal decisions, it’s time to up the ante, just like work zone violations. I can’t even move over on expressways because too many drivers are oblivious or don’t care. Some multilane surface streets are just as bad. If I slow down the idiots behind me tailgate, flash their high beams or ride their horns because they’re too important and in a hurry.
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 10:19 am
The people out in the blizzard are the ones who don’t wear masks and think it is all about them.
Comment by Publius Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 10:20 am
==The people out in the blizzard are the ones who don’t wear masks and think it is all about them.==
Unless you have no choice but to still go to work (health care, State offices yesterday) and couldn’t take time off.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 11:04 am
@Publius. Huh?
Comment by DMC Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:31 pm