Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) is urging Illinois motorists to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles with flashing lights after a recent crash involving two Illinois Police squad cars.

In a Jan. 18 Facebook post, Weber urged anyone travelling on Illinois roadways to improve safety by slowing down and moving over when passing emergency vehicles with their hazard or emergency lights on.

“We're just a little over two weeks into the new year and two Illinois State Police cars have already been hit in Scott's Law-related crashes," Weber said in the post. "Please keep all who work and travel Illinois roadways safe by remembering to SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER when passing any vehicle with emergency or hazard lights activated."

Illinois State Police troopers investigating a crash involving a trooper’s car in the northbound lanes of I-57 were struck while sitting with their emergency lights engaged, a Jan. 15 WICS/WRSP report said. Scott’s Law requires all motorists to slow down and move over when they approach any emergency vehicle with emergency or hazard lights engaged.

A first offense can include a $10,000 fine, the report said. Additionally, if someone is injured, the violator could have their driver’s license suspended for up to two years.