Why You Must Always Slow Down for Emergency Vehicles: Inside Illinois’ Move Over Law

Protecting Those Who Protect Us

Every day, police officers, firefighters, tow operators, and highway workers risk their lives to keep Illinois roads safe. Whether assisting a stranded motorist or responding to a crash, these individuals often work just feet from moving traffic. To protect them, Illinois enacted Scott’s Law, commonly known as the Move Over Law.

Named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, tragically killed by a passing driver in 2000, the law requires motorists to slow down and move over when approaching any stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights. The goal is simple: give roadside workers the space and safety they deserve.

Despite two decades of awareness campaigns and increased penalties, violations of Scott’s Law remain alarmingly high. The Illinois State Police report dozens of crashes each year caused by drivers who fail to move over. In 2024, there were more than two dozen such incidents, several involving serious injuries or fatalities.

These tragedies serve as painful reminders that ignoring the law doesn’t just break a rule, it puts lives at risk.

What Scott’s Law Requires

Under Illinois law, when you approach a stationary vehicle with flashing lights, whether it’s a police cruiser, fire truck, ambulance, tow truck, or maintenance vehicle, you must:

• Slow down and proceed with caution.
• Move over by one full lane if it’s safe to do so.
• Stay alert for workers or emergency responders on the roadside.

Failure to follow these rules carries serious consequences. A first offense can result in fines up to $10,000 and a driver’s license suspension. If a violation leads to injury or death, drivers may also face criminal charges.

However, the consequences don’t end with tickets or court appearances. Violating the Move Over Law can also expose a driver to civil liability if their actions cause harm.

When Ignoring Scott’s Law Leads to Civil Liability

Scott’s Law isn’t just about traffic safety, it establishes a clear duty of care. When a driver fails to move over or reduce speed and an accident occurs, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Injured victims and their families may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
• Property damage
• Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages

These civil cases are separate from criminal prosecutions. While state penalties punish the violation, civil lawsuits seek to make victims whole again, helping them rebuild their lives after preventable tragedy.

The Human Cost of Carelessness

Each Move Over crash is a story of loss and trauma. Behind the numbers are first responders who never made it home, roadside workers suffering life-altering injuries, and families left to grieve loved ones who were simply doing their jobs.

These accidents are entirely preventable. A brief moment of distraction or impatience, failing to switch lanes, misjudging speed, or glancing at a phone, can change lives forever.

The emotional and financial toll can be staggering. Victims often face months of recovery, medical bills, and lost income. Families endure the weight of sudden loss, all because a driver refused to slow down.

How Salvi & Maher Helps Victims and Families

At Salvi & Maher, we represent victims and families whose lives have been devastated by negligent drivers. When a motorist violates Scott’s Law and causes injury or death, we act quickly to investigate what went wrong and hold them accountable.

Our attorneys gather evidence from traffic cameras, witness statements, and police reports to establish exactly how the crash occurred. We work closely with experts in accident reconstruction to demonstrate how the driver’s failure to move over or reduce speed directly caused harm.

Beyond litigation, our commitment extends to advocacy. Every successful case reinforces the importance of responsible driving and helps make Illinois roads safer for the people who protect us.

A Shared Responsibility

Scott’s Law is more than a legal requirement, it’s a social contract rooted in respect and accountability. Slowing down and moving over takes seconds, but those few seconds can prevent tragedy.

Drivers have the power to protect first responders and roadside workers every time they see flashing lights ahead. For those who have been injured by someone who ignored that responsibility, legal action offers a path to justice and recovery.