PEORIA – Existing protections under Scott’s Law, the state law requiring motorists to move over for emergency vehicles pulled over on the side of the road, were strengthened under legislation signed into law today.

Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) was a cosponsor of the measure and says that, with the prevalence of distracted driving, the measure couldn’t have come sooner.

“First responders have enough on their plates without having to worry about getting hit by cars on the interstate,” Koehler said. “This measure is designed to save lives, and I’m glad to stand with our first responders and support it.”

Senate Bill 1862 strengthens the existing provisions of Scott’s Law by:

• Increasing the minimum fine for a Scott’s Law violation without damage or injury from $100 to $500
• Making a Scott’s Law violation that results in damage to a vehicle a Class A misdemeanor
• Making a violation that results in injury or death a Class 4 felony
• Adding a Scott’s Law violation to the list of aggravating factors that may be used in sentencing for reckless homicide
• Increasing the penalty for a reckless homicide conviction based on a violation of Scott’s Law that results in the death of a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel to a Class 2 felony from a Class 3 felony
• Applying Scott’s Law to the requirements for approaching any disabled vehicle

Scott's Law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was killed by a drunk driver while assisting at a crash on the highway in Chicago.