DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation are ramping up enforcement of the state’s Move Over Law—also known as Scott’s Law—with a clear message to drivers: Move Over or Get Pulled Over.
So far in 2025, five ISP troopers have been involved in Move Over crashes, four of whom were injured. Since 2019, Illinois has recorded 71 such crashes involving state troopers, with three officers killed. Hundreds more crashes have affected firefighters, paramedics, IDOT workers, and tow truck operators across the state.
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"I've had several times where I have walked back to my car and when I see them coming I will wave at them or I'll have to run over into the grass," said ISP Sgt. Joseph Dattoli.
Scott’s Law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching any stationary emergency vehicle with activated lights. If a lane change is unsafe, drivers must reduce speed and proceed with caution. The law applies to police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, IDOT vehicles, tow trucks, and any other authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the roadway.
According to Sgt. Dattoli, last year ISP issued nearly 500 Move Over citations. In 2025, the department has issued 991 citations.
Fines for violating the Move Over Law range from $250 to $10,000. More severe consequences, including felony charges and license suspensions up to two years, can be imposed if the violation results in injury or death.
"We've all heard it, move over and slow down for emergency vehicles on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "Despite this, we continue to see to crashes, including deadly crashes, because someone refused to move over and slow down. To help end this reckless behavior, we want the public to know that if you fail to move over and slow down in Illinois, you will get a ticket. The days of receiving a warning are over. Move over or get pulled over."
In 2017, tow truck operator Chris Moore was hit by a vehicle.
"The vehicle came along and hit my hip. It turned me around and they ran me over."
No one has been arrested for seriously injuring Moore. Since the crash he has used his story to remind drivers the importance of moving over.
"It takes on second to move over and slow down, it takes one second to change a person's life."
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The Move Over Law is named Scott's Law in Illinois in remembrance of Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department. Gillen was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
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