Rock Island Today

The Illinois House has passed a bill sponsored by State Representative Dan Swanson aimed at better educating drivers about the state's "Move Over" highway safety law. Swanson expressed his satisfaction with the House's decision, stating, "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."

The legislation, known as House Bill 4711, is designed to ensure that drivers are knowledgeable about "Scott's Law," which requires motorists to move over and slow down when passing a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights activated. If an applicant for an Illinois driver's license provides an incorrect response to the written test question concerning Scott's Law, the Secretary of State will now provide that applicant with information about the law to increase awareness of its requirements.

The importance of this legislation was highlighted by Lucy Kuelper, a junior at ROWVA High School in Knox County, who testified in support of the bill before the House Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee. Kuelper, the daughter of an Illinois state trooper, founded the Move Over Project with the goal of raising awareness about the necessity of slowing down and moving over to protect first responders on roadsides.

Following a unanimous vote of 112-0 in the House, the bill will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration. Residents of the 71st District can access additional updates about the General Assembly and details on upcoming events on Rep. Swanson's legislative website at repswanson.com.