Landek urges slower driving near emergency vehicles
By Ray Hanania
State Senator Steven Landek expressed his concerns over reports that three Illinois State Troopers were struck by motorists in three different incidents during recent heavy snowstorms.
In two separate incidents on Interstate 72, a state trooper had pulled over to the side of the road in Springfield to help a motorist whose vehicle had slid off the road during the storm when his vehicle was struck by a passing car.
The other Illinois State Trooper was assisting a motorist who was involved in an accident when a motorist driving by struck his vehicle.
On Interstate 57 near Mattoon, a motorist lost control of his car and struck an Illinois State Police trooper’s vehicle that was on the side of the interstate.
“These incidents are troubling and fortunately none of the state troopers suffered any major injuries,” Landek said.
“But they are a reminder to all motorists that state law requires them to slow down and move over when they approach any emergency vehicles with flashing lights or any disabled vehicles displaying flashing lights,” Landek said.
He was referring to Scott’s Law, which was passed in 2001.
“It’s for the safety of the first responders who are helping other drivers, but it also for the safety of motorists who are driving past these incidents,” Landek said. “We all need to be vigilant in these circumstances.”
Known as the “Move Over” Law, Scott’s Law was named in remembrance of Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department.
He was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
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