IL expands ‘move over’ law to include more vehicles. How you can avoid a ticket
The new year brought hundreds of new laws to Illinois, and one legislative update closes a “loophole” in Scott’s Law.
Scott’s Law, also referred to as the “Move Over Law,” was enacted in Illinois in 2002 and named after Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed by an intoxicated driver at 37 years old while on duty in 2000. The law has been expanded a few times since then, and protections were again extended this year.
Previously, Scott’s Law only required drivers to move over and slow down when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights.
As of Jan. 1, however, Scott’s Law will also cover engaged emergency vehicles that are moving, as well as emergency workers and other pedestrians directly involved in an emergency scene.
“The law was originally enacted in 2002 and it was to protect emergency vehicles, but didn’t necessarily protect people outside of the emergency vehicles. There was kind of a loophole, and this closes that,” Teri Ross, executive director of Illinois Legal Aid Online, told the News-Democrat.
Violating Scott’s Law can result in a fine between $250 and $10,000 on first offense, or $750 to $10,000 for a subsequent offense. Much stronger penalties apply if an emergency vehicle is damaged or a worker is injured or killed.
Despite expanded protections for emergency vehicles and workers under Scott’s Law, Illinois State Police still report issues with compliance. In 2024, 27 crashes due to violations of the move over law were reported, including one fatal incident. Last year saw 14 Scott’s Law violation-related crashes.
Scott’s Law requires drivers to move over and slow down for law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, firetrucks and others when emergency lights are in use, and police urge drivers to do so for any vehicle with flashing lights stopped on the side of the road.
“If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, drivers must slow down to a safe speed, proceed with caution, and be prepared to stop if necessary,” Illinois State Police Trooper Krystal Holdman told the News-Democrat via email.
State police have already reported two crashes related to violations of the law this year, both in DuPage County. Neither resulted in injury.
“The goal of the Move Over Law is to eliminate preventable crashes, injuries and deaths,” Holdman continued. “These updates will help to keep first responders and maintenance workers safer as they handle crashes and assist motorists inside and outside of their vehicle. In addition, this will help to keep any motorist pulled over to the side of the road with hazard lights activated safer as they may be changing a tire or have a broken-down vehicle.”
All 50 states have enacted some version of a move over law, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, though the specific provisions vary by state.
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