The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association would like to announce the 2019 Officer Safety and Scott’s Law Safety Initiative.
Friday, April 12, through Friday, April 19, 2019, Sheriffs across the State of Illinois will be participating in a Traffic Awareness Campaign, specifically aimed at Scott’s Law and distracted driving violators. The ISA urges all motorists to obey all the rules of the road and stay focused when driving.
Scott’s Law Chapter 625 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) 5/11-907(c), mandates that upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red and blue lights or amber or yellow warning lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle MUST
- proceed with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approach vehicle
- proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintain a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
Sixteen Law Enforcement Officers have been hit while conducting traffic stops on the side of the road in 2019. Illinois has had four, traffic related, Officer fatalities already in 2019. Enough is enough!
Left-to-right these Officers are Christopher Lambert, 34, killed in Northbrook, End of Watch, Saturday, January 12.
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Keltner, killed in Howard, End of Watch, Thursday, March 7.
Brooke Jones-Story, 34, killed in Freeport, End of Watch, Thursday, March 28.
Gerald Ellis, 36, killed in Green Oak, End of Watch, Saturday, March 30.
Move Over. Slow Down. Put Down the Phone.