Illinois Gov. George Ryan signed "Scott's Law" on Aug. 10, making forking over $10,000 a reality for drivers who don't pay attention to emergency vehicles. This means truckdrivers, bus drivers, motorists and all other cruisers of the highway.

According to a published report, that is the hope of Gov. Ryan, as well as state troopers and other emergency workers who say one of the primary dangers of their jobs comes from drivers who don't pay attention to their driving.

The law is named for Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed last December when a car crushed him against a fire truck at an accident scene. State officials say the car sped past flares and emergency lights.

Scott's Law calls for a fine of up to $10,000 for drivers who fail to slow and move over when encountering parked police cruisers, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles with their lights activated. If the failure to yield to the vehicles causes an accident, the person responsible may lose their license for up to a year if someone else's property is damaged and up to two years if someone else is injured.

"What we're doing is reminding Illinois motorists of the importance of driving with caution when approaching emergency vehicles," Ryan said at a signing ceremony in Springfield.