SPRINGFIELD – A bill sponsored by State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) to better educate drivers about the state’s “Move Over” highway safety law has passed the Illinois House.
“I’m glad the House has joined in taking this important step toward making Illinois motorists more aware of what to do when they see a vehicle stopped on the roadside,” Swanson said. “We have seen far too many crashes, injuries and even deaths that could have been prevented with a little more knowledge.”
Illinois law requires drivers to move over and slow down when they see a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights activated, a statute known as “Scott’s Law.” Swanson’s bill, House Bill 4711, provides that if an applicant for an Illinois driver’s license gives an incorrect response to the written test question regarding Scott’s Law, the Secretary of State shall provide that applicant with information concerning the law so that the applicant will be more aware of its requirements.
Earlier this month, Lucy Kuelper, a junior at ROWVA High School in Knox County, testified in support of the legislation before the House Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee. Kuelper, the daughter of an Illinois state trooper, founded the Move Over Project five years ago to spread awareness of the importance of slowing down and moving over to keep first responders safe on roadsides.
The bill passed the House 112-0 and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
71st District residents can find more news about the General Assembly and information about upcoming events on Rep. Swanson’s legislative website at repswanson.com.