State Police still stressing Scott’s Law despite improving numbers

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinois State Police is stressing the importance of Scott’s Law after a big number of violations last year, but they said the numbers are looking better now.

The law, also known as the Move Over Law, requires drivers to slow down and get over when driving past stalled vehicles with flashing lights. Last year, there were 27 Scott’s Law violations resulting in crashes, and that number was a recent high. There were 10 violations only three months into 2024. So far this year, there have been three.

One State Police trooper said the goal is always zero, but a downtrend is an encouraging sight.

“I like to tell people that when we have to create a website to have a database to track troopers getting hit, it is a problem and it needs to stop,” said State Police trooper Josh Robinson. “It’s also completely preventable, just like distracted driving. It’s a choice we make, and that probably is a large contributing factor to these crashes, is people aren’t putting 100% focus on what’s in front of them and they’re not paying attention.”

Last year’s recent high of 27 marked a six-crash jump from 2023.