Congressional Democrats from Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos and Sen. Dick Durbin have introduced legislation that aims to better protect roadside first responders across the country.
There have been 29 auto-related first-responder deaths nationwide in 2019, more than the 21 at the same time in 2018.
Bustos says we’ve seen too many “preventable tragedies” occur, and more must be done to ensure move over laws are followed.
Currently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operates two federal grant programs focused on highway safety but neither address Move Over Laws.
All 50 states have Move Over laws on the books.
The bill would establish move over law education and compliance as a national highway safety priority under existing grant programs from the NHTSA.
That would allow states to apply for federal funding to execute move over law awareness campaigns, and equip vehicles with digital alert and crash avoidance technology.
The bill would also require all federal fleet vehicles to be equipped with crash avoidance technology and digital alert by 2025.
The digital alert system sends an audible, real-time and hands-free warning to motorists via navigation apps on smartphones and GPS equipment.
Studies show that 70 percent of Americans are unaware of Move Over laws like Scott’s Law in Illinois, even though all 50 states have this type of law.
Three troopers have been killed in roadside crashes while performing their duties in Illinois alone.
