Illinois State Police say for the 12th time this year an Illinois State Police squad car has been struck in relation to Scott’s Law violations. The latest crash occurred Thursday morning in a construction zone on Interstate 64 eastbound at mile post 72 near Mt. Vernon.
The trooper whose car was struck was the sixth to sustain injuries in a crash this year. The trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and has been subsequently released.
A State Police release indicates the trooper was assigned to a Statewide Work Zone Safety Project and was stationary on the right shoulder inside a fully marked squad car with emergency lights activated. The trooper was providing protection an Illinois Department of Transportation work crew.
The car driven by 52-year-old Tracey Adams of Tulsa, Oklahoma reportedly failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle, veered off the roadway onto the right shoulder and side-swiped the driver’s side of the squad car.
She was charged with a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing an Emergency Vehicle Causing Injury to Another.
Conviction of a violation of Scott’s Law includes a fine no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.
The ISP would like to remind the public of the requirements of Scott’s Law, otherwise known as the “Move Over” law: When approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down and move over.
