Batavia joins forces for traffic initiative

On May 20, police departments throughout the Tri-Cities announced that they will be combining efforts this upcoming holiday week in an effort to reduce crashes and enhance roadway safety through enhanced enforcement.

The Geneva, Batavia, and St. Charles Police departments are joining forces by conducting additional selected location patrols during the week of Memorial Day. Beginning on Monday, May 23, through Monday, May 30, police will focus their enforcement efforts on heavily traveled roadways (Randall Road, Route 31, Route 25, and Kirk Road). With the weather seemingly improving and more people getting out to enjoy it, police in the Tri-Cities are looking to ensure the safety of all motorists.

The joint initiative announcement states that the departments will be focusing their efforts on educating motorists and enforcing traffic laws as they relate to speed, distracted driving, seat belts, Scott's Law, and driving under the influence. The Tri-City police agencies want to remind motorists to respect the move over law (Scott's Law) and use caution when approaching emergency vehicles on the side of the road. The move over law, commonly known as "Scott's Law", has been in effect since 2002. It is named in memory and honor of Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed in December 2000. Motorists must change lanes, if they can do so safely, or reduce their speed significantly and proceed with caution upon approaching any emergency vehicles.

Each agency will implement an enforcement plan based on the individual needs of their communities. The Geneva, Batavia, and St. Charles Police departments remind all motorists to drive safely by following the rules of the road, avoid distracted driving, adhere to Scott's Law, and allow more time to reach their destination during high traffic times. The goal of the initiative to ensure everyone arrives safely at their destinations and is able to enjoy the week leading up to the unofficial start of summer.