Did you know that Illinois has a mandatory “move over” law, known as Scott’s Law? Under this law, if you are approaching an emergency vehicle that is stopped and has its lights on, you must:
- Slow down,
- Drive with caution, and
- Move over to another lane. Reduce speed if changing lanes is unsafe.
Scott’s Law is named after Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was responding to a traffic crash on Interstate 94 on Dec. 23, 2000, when an intoxicated motorist illegally crossed the center lane of traffic, hit a semi-truck, and struck and killed Lt. Gillen. This law helps protect first responders like Lt. Gillen, and the men and women of the Wheaton Police Department, who you see on Wheaton streets each day conducting traffic stops.
The Wheaton Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting an enforcement campaign for Scott’s Law violations during the week of Feb. 27-March 3, 2023.
Give all emergency vehicles space so they can operate safely. We appreciate your cooperation to help protect Wheaton’s first responders while they perform their jobs.
If you have any questions, please contact the Wheaton Police Department Traffic Unit.