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* Fox Chicago…
The Illinois State Police is urging drivers to follow Scott’s Law—commonly known as the Move-Over Law—after a troubling rise in crashes this year. […]
With 25 crashes related to violations, 12 state troopers have been injured, and Chicagoland remains a hotspot for these dangerous incidents.
Scott’s Law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching any vehicle with flashing emergency lights. Violators face serious consequences, including hefty fines, license suspensions, and possible jail time for severe offenses.
In the past eight weeks alone, six crashes tied to Scott’s Law violations occurred in the Chicago area, with three state troopers injured badly enough to require hospitalization. State Police say these incidents highlight the ongoing risks they face daily.
* Meanwhile…
* Today from the Illinois State Police…
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is expanding the number of ways drivers receive alerts when ISP activity is up ahead and they need to slow down and move over. ISP and the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology, (DoIT) are partnering with HAAS Alert to expand notifications to select Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, and Volkswagen vehicles. These safety alerts to drivers will be powered by Safety Cloud, HAAS Alert’s solution for delivering digital alerts through leading navigation apps and compatible vehicle infotainment systems. […]
ISP is one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to provide real-time GPS-based traffic information to help prevent what are commonly referred to as ‘Move Over’ crashes. The Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law in Illinois, requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, including all highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights, and any stationary vehicle with their hazard lights activated.
Building on ISP’s partnership with Google Public Sector and Move Over crash notifications in Waze and Google Maps, the partnership with HAAS Alert will expand these real-time, GPS-based alerts to even more drivers of ISP traffic activity on the road, urging them to slow down and move over and making roads safer for all drivers. […]
To alert drivers to slow down and move over, ISP generates information about a crash, traffic stop, motorist assist, or debris in the roadway, which HAAS Alert then pushes to Safety Cloud for distribution to select vehicle infotainment systems. As drivers approach the GPS location of the ISP trooper, they will see a police icon and receive an alert to slow down and move over.
“As an Illinois small business, we couldn’t be more grateful to do our part in keeping ISP troopers safe on the road,” said Cory Hohs, CEO of HAAS Alert. “Drivers and vehicles today are more connected than ever, and these alerts save lives and prevent tragedies. We’re committed to working with even more automakers in 2025 and beyond to help ensure everyone on the road gets home safely, including and especially first responders.”
Since 2019, two ISP troopers have been killed and more than 60 others injured.
On January 12, 2019, Trooper Christopher Lambert was handling a crash on I-294. Trooper Lambert was outside his vehicle with his emergency lights on when a vehicle failed to slow down and Trooper Lambert was killed.
On March 28, 2019, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was conducting a motor carrier safety inspection on U.S. Route 20. Trooper Jones-Story was outside of her vehicle with the emergency lights on when another semi-truck hit her squad car. Trooper Jones-Story was killed as a result.
This new notification system will help drivers see in advance the locations where ISP is handling a crash or other traffic activity, warning people to slow down and move over.
More information about Illinois’ Scott’s Law can be found on the ISP website, as well as a Scott’s Law dashboard that includes information and data about ISP crashes.
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 12:06 pm
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Great partnership between ISP and the tech folks. I used Google Maps just about every time I drive, even to familiar destinations, to try and stay ahead of any traffic issues that might come up.
It would be great if there could be more coordination between the tech companies, law enforcement, and DOTs to examine routing decisions in mapping apps. Far too often I get told to cut through neighborhoods, particularly on the city grid. Unless there’s really no other option, apps shouldn’t be pushing people to drive on side streets.
Comment by The Opinions Bureau Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 12:26 pm
The fine for first-time offenders of Scott’s Law is anywhere from $250 to $10,000. If a first-time offender of Scott’s Law does not hurt a person or damage any vehicles, the only punishment is a fine no less than $250 and no more than $10,000. The state only tracks crashes, not citations and written warnings issued. The effectiveness of Scott’s Law cannot be fully measured without this data. If ISP is serious about keeping emergency responders safe, I believe that data on all violations, not just those that result in car crashes, should be tracked and reported to the public.
Comment by Wisco Expat Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 1:02 pm
pay attention people. the other day driving on the crowded Kennedy there was an accident on the left side. ISP was pulling it over and was almost to the right side. when an idiot driver came speeding up on the shoulder. it was hilarious when he (yes he) had to stop as he almost drove into the ISP vehicle. and how dangerous for all of us around it. slow down. p.s. yep Statey got out and waved him over as he tried to leave
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 1:12 pm
But, Amalia, you don’t understand. He was way more important than anyone else, and he had to use the shoulder to get past you. And that darn trooper was in the way.
Seriously, that’s how some of these idiots think.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 1:52 pm
There is no excuse for failing to slow down and move over for every vehicle with flashing emergency lights.
The same with pulling over for ambulances.
We’re trying to have a civilization, people.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 2:08 pm
Ah, Joan P, yes, it was the ultimate manspreading.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Dec 18, 24 @ 5:07 pm