Scott’s Law in Illinois
By Just Stupid on May 29, 2008 in Stupid Laws
We received this email the other day…
This is just a warning about something that happened to my friend Denise.
She Was driving on I-88 in the right lane. She was not speeding.
There was a Illinois Police car sitting in the right shoulder with the lights on. The officer was sitting in the car. There was no one pulled over.
She continued in the right lane and passed him.
She was immediately pulled over by the cop and cited for Violating Scott’s law which I found is a law that requires you to move over (if possible) to the left lane if an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road.
She pleaded ignorance of the law but was given a ticket and was assigned a Mandatory court date for which she appeared.
She spoke to the judge and he Asked Her if she wanted a trial.
She said that she could not testify that she did not commit the violation but that she was unaware of the law. She pleaded guilty and was fined $100.00. She thought that was it.
Two weeks later she received a notice from the Secretary of State that her license has been suspended for 3 months because of this Violation.
She spoke to the Secretary of State office as no one ever mentioned that she would lose her license.
As expected, they did not care and if she wanted a hearing on the matter or a hearing to ask for a license to drive to work, she Could expect a hearing date in about 3 months.
Just wanted to warn everyone about this. I was not aware of this law although I usually move over anyway.
Apparently, in 2007, the state police issued a record number of tickets for this offense.
We thought you might find the following article from snopes.com interesting: http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/moveover.asp
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AlKaholic | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
D’uh,That is a “Common sense” law that has been enacted in a few states.Law enforcement officers have enough to worry about,without worrying about dodging morons in cars running about 65-70mph….
mattk | Jul 4, 2009 | Reply
Scotts Law is not stupid and if you think so then dont move over and see the judge… this year my dept. will be conducting many scotts law enforcement sites not just on the e-way we will place 3-4 emergency vehicles on the side of the road and if you dont move over or slow down go to court… this law is meant to save lifes if you dont like it ohhh well spend the money in legal fees
John | Jan 11, 2010 | Reply
Scotts Law stupid?!!! Not at all. Don’t be foolish; this law will save lives, period. Check out footage of officers being killed and badly wounded by other drivers while performing their duties roadside. If you still think it’s a stupid law after observing a few videos on youtube you’ll prove my point about a LOT of humanity…
( No matter how low the bar is set, stupid people always find a way to limbo right under it.)
tami | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
Whats stupid is idiot people that will not move over. For anyone that thinks this is stupid you would not want to be the one that has to jump in the ditch to avoid being hit by an idiot that does not respect anyone elses job and will not move over. I’ve been there and do that on a daily basis. Its the best law I’ve seen in along time to protect myself and my drivers. Its not going to kill you to slow down and move over but it may kill someone else by not. If you don’t like it dont drive!!!
tami | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
ps: Really glad your friend got suspended now maybe she’ll think twice
dustin | Jan 20, 2010 | Reply
i just wish minnesota would enforce the move over law….ive been setting on the roadside with officers and have cars just fly by and rock the tow truck as im loading. Scotts law is not stupid it keeps the stupid drivers off the road for a very short period and makes them think FLASHING LIGHTS MEANS SLOW DOWN
Adam | Jan 20, 2010 | Reply
I am really disappointed that you as a website would allow this to be published. The only thing stupid is the article itself! How many Fire Fighters, Paramedics, EMTs, or Police officers have to be killed in the line of duty for people to get the hint. A missouri State Trooper gave his life on Christmas day because someone ignored our states move over law on a 4 lane highway with minimal traffic. The only thing that would be better is if the police were allowed to shoot people who don’t move over. watch a video of what happens in Iraq when you are told to move over and don’t. If you had any sense at all you would consider that maybe the officers like going home to hug their spouse and kids at the end of the shift. that is if they can avoid the next retard like you!
Chicago Towman | Jan 20, 2010 | Reply
Why don’t you try working 2 feet from traffic zipping by at 70-80 MPH. It’s not fun or safe. This law is designed to help protect roadside workers (such as myself) and the motorist’s who drive the highways. I’ve had a right front tire blow out at 65-70 mph, and instantly the car jumps half a lane minimum, or a whole lane if you’re not holding the wheel tight. If that happened while you were passing a 20,000# tow truck, or highway truck, (and you rear end the stopped truck) your chances of surviving are less than 10 percent. Wouldn’t you rather move over or even slow down to save both of our lives, and not get that fine?
Centuryonly | Jan 20, 2010 | Reply
Please don’t forget about the towing operators. 60 of us are hit and killed each year by idiots like that. Is how fast you get to where you’re going more important than one of us making it home to our family tonight?
Jason | Jan 21, 2010 | Reply
Im in Australia and have heard about this law …I wish they would bring the law in our country ..
caitlin | Feb 8, 2010 | Reply
scotts law is stupid when they are pulled over on the left. my fine: $600. absolutely ridiculous when NO ONE WAS IN DANGER. the fine for speeding through a work zone where people are walking around: $375. stupid.
Tim | Mar 10, 2010 | Reply
I know Illinois doesn’t protect it’s citizens very well from police abuses and entrapment, but pigs are essentially creating a road hazard to catch people breaking a law that I couldn’t even find on il.gov. The defensive driving course the state of Illinois sponsors/supports considers vehicles on the shoulder a hazard, so why are you going to hang out there for no legitimate reason (i.e.: RTS, or “gasp” helping a motorist).