An Illinois State Police (ISP) squad car was struck by a vehicle today, March 13, 2024, around 7:30 AM, in Rock Island County on Interstate 280 Eastbound, near milepost 13.5; this is the eleventh Move Over law-related crash in 2024. A semi-truck failed to move over for the ISP squad car parked on the right shoulder of I-280, assisting another motorist. The semi-truck sideswiped the squad car while the emergency lights were activated and the Trooper was inside the vehicle. The truck did not stop after the impact and continued eastbound on I-280. The squad car was drivable, and the Trooper was able to follow the truck and initiate a traffic stop near milepost 15. No injuries were reported. The driver of the semi-truck, Mark V. Powell, 65, of Columbus, OH., was issued a citation for the Move Over Law for Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle.
In 2022, ISP had 23 Move Over Law-related crashes where eight troopers sustained injuries. In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes. ISP reminds the public that the Move Over Law requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated.
A person who violates the Move Over Law commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years. Additional information can be found at the following link: https://isp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/340d57cd956c453da2de25af804c268d.
