Illinois just raised the stakes for drivers who ignore its Move Over law. With Thursday's signing of SB 3164, state officials now have clear authority to revoke the licenses of motorists whose failure to move over leads to serious injury or death, according to the Illinois State Police. The tougher rule targets a troubling pattern of roadside crashes that have repeatedly injured troopers, tow truck drivers and highway workers along Illinois highways.
What SB 3164 changes
SB 3164 revises the Illinois Vehicle Code so that a conviction for violating subsection (c) of Section 11-907, known as the Move Over or Scott's Law, that results in injury or death is now specifically listed as a reason the Secretary of State can revoke a driver's license. The bill text on the Illinois General Assembly website spells out the updated language and confirms that the act takes effect as soon as it becomes law.
Officials say the change is needed
According to the Illinois State Police, the new revocation option is designed to curb repeat offenders and drive home that Move Over violations are not minor traffic mistakes, they are life threatening. The department's post cites recent crash numbers and links the new statute to ongoing dangers faced by people working on the shoulder. ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly wrote, "License revocation can help reduce the likelihood the same driver will cause similar harm."
Road toll and recent fatality
One of the most recent and painful reminders of the risk is the death of Trooper Clay Carns, who was struck and killed while clearing debris from I-55 in December 2024, according to AP News. His death and a series of squad car crashes have kept Move Over enforcement high on the state police priority list year after year.
How punishments will shift
Before SB 3164, the Vehicle Code already allowed for license suspensions and criminal charges in Scott's Law cases. The new language adds a direct administrative route to revoke driving privileges when a violation causes injury or death. It gives the Secretary of State discretionary authority under Section 6-206 to treat those convictions as grounds for revocation, which means a driver can lose their license on top of any criminal penalties a court might impose.
Fines, felonies and enforcement
The Illinois State Police have long cautioned that Move Over violations can come with hefty fines that range from $250 to $10,000, and that crashes involving injury or death can be charged as felony offenses, according to the agency's enforcement bulletin. ISP has also rolled out real-time Move Over alerts to mapping apps and in-vehicle systems to warn drivers as they approach stopped emergency or roadside vehicles, and the department says it will continue urging prosecutors to treat serious Move Over crashes as criminal cases when the facts support it. More detail is available in the Illinois State Police enforcement bulletin.
Advocates say the added revocation tool is a welcome step, but they also point out that it will only change driver behavior if the state backs it up with steady enforcement and strong public education. For everyone behind the wheel, the warning remains straightforward: slow down, move over and give first responders and roadside workers room to do their jobs.
