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Scott's Law Explained
It is appropriate at this time to remind motorists of the hazards that exist for emergency personnel responding to emergencies. Recently, a motorist rear ended a Roselle Fire Truck which was parked at the scene of a crash on the Elgin-O'Hare expressway. The crash involving the fire truck caused injuries to a fire fighter and the striking vehicle's driver, as well as causing extensive damage to the fire truck, which will be out of service for several weeks.
Scott's law is intended to protect emergency personnel from motorists at emergency scenes and is named after Chicago Fire Lieutenant Scott Gillen who was struck and killed Dec. 23, 2000 while responding to a traffic accident.
The Roselle Police reminds motorists of Scott's Law, which increases the penalties for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or cause accidents or injury to public safety or service personnel at roadside emergency scenes. Offenders can expect to be fined up to $10,000.00 and have their driver's license suspended for up to two years.
Penalties for violating Scott's Law include:
A fine of not more than $10,000.00; suspension of driving privileges for a period of up to a year but not less than 90 days for damaging another person's property; suspension of driving privileges for a period of not less than 180 days but no more than two years for injuring another person; a two-year suspension of driving privileges for causing the death of another person.
The Roselle Police encourages motorists to follow these precautions when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights activated. Slow down and proceed with caution. Yield the right-of-way by changing into a lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle. Be prepared to pull over to the right-hand side of the roadway and stop if directed to do so. Be watchful of the movement of emergency personnel and equipment. The law applies to all vehicles displaying flashing lights, including highway maintenance vehicles.
Scott's law is intended to protect emergency personnel from motorists at emergency scenes and is named after Chicago Fire Lieutenant Scott Gillen who was struck and killed Dec. 23, 2000 while responding to a traffic accident.
The Roselle Police reminds motorists of Scott's Law, which increases the penalties for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or cause accidents or injury to public safety or service personnel at roadside emergency scenes. Offenders can expect to be fined up to $10,000.00 and have their driver's license suspended for up to two years.
Penalties for violating Scott's Law include:
A fine of not more than $10,000.00; suspension of driving privileges for a period of up to a year but not less than 90 days for damaging another person's property; suspension of driving privileges for a period of not less than 180 days but no more than two years for injuring another person; a two-year suspension of driving privileges for causing the death of another person.
The Roselle Police encourages motorists to follow these precautions when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights activated. Slow down and proceed with caution. Yield the right-of-way by changing into a lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle. Be prepared to pull over to the right-hand side of the roadway and stop if directed to do so. Be watchful of the movement of emergency personnel and equipment. The law applies to all vehicles displaying flashing lights, including highway maintenance vehicles.