Editorial: Sending a message about safety and stopped vehicles

It's not likely that "Scott's Law" would have deterred the driver who killed the first responder for whom the law is named.

Carlando J. Hurt, of Hammond, Indiana, was allegedly drunk, had had his Illinois driving privileges revoked and drove around safety flares when his car struck and killed Chicago firefighter Scott Gillen on the Borman Expressway in July 2000. He wasn't contemplating the consequences of his behavior - which eventually resulted in a 13-year prison sentence for reckless homicide.

So, it doesn't automatically follow that merely increasing the penalties for those who ignore the law named for Gillen will, by itself, make first responders safer. It's a reasonable first step, but the most important objective is to get the attention of every driver on the road about the risks police and emergency workers face on the state's roadways.

Gov. Pritzker joined state lawmakers Tuesday to promote the legislation sponsored by Chicago Democratic state Rep. Marcus Evans which increases penalties for drivers who fail to slow down and, if it is safe, change lanes when approaching a police or emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road.

The proposal more than doubles the minimum fine to $250 for a first violation and sets a $750 minimum fine for subsequent violations with an additional $250 fee to help fund education and enforcement of the law. If a violation results in an injury or death, the driver could face one to three years in prison on a Class 4 felony. If a police officer or other first responder is injured or killed, the penalty can be three to seven years in prison.

These are important considerations, but that's not because the punishment imposes justice on lawbreakers; it's because the stiffer punishment sends a signal to all drivers of the danger facing personnel stopped at the side of the road and the responsibility they have to protect people's safety. Indeed, the education provision of the new proposal emphasizes that penalties alone will not make the roads safer. Everyone needs to be aware of the serious risks inconsiderate behavior causes.

It is unfortunate that nearly 19 years after the crash that killed Lt. Scott Gillen, we find ourselves needing to send such a message. One would prefer that common sense and the original Scott's Law would be enough to build safety into drivers' habits. But already this year, 16 state police squad cars have been struck and two state troopers have been killed in crashes involving drivers who allegedly did not slow down and move over for stopped vehicles as the law requires. Clearly, something needs to be done.

The Evans bill is a place to start, but let's not overlook its most important function - alerting all of us, not just the Carlando Hurts on the road, of the need for consideration and care when approaching emergency personnel on the road.