State police enforcing Scott's law

Illinois drivers need to be careful around emergency vehicles or risk a ticket from authorities who have stepped up enforcement of a 2002 law.

More than 1,770 tickets have been handed out to motorists so far this year by Illinois State Police troopers.

State Police Sergeant Juan Valenzuela says there's a push to make sure motorists follow the law.

The law requires drivers to change lanes when they approach an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder. If it isn't safe to pass, they have to slow down.

Last year motorists were tagged with 3,738 citations. In 2005, only 74 tickets were issued.

The law is named for a Chicago Fire Department lieutenant killed in 2000 when he was crushed against a fire truck by a car at an accident scene.