Lake County Gazette

As children return to school, the State Board of Education and the Illinois State Police emphasize that the most dangerous part of a school bus ride is at the bus stop. The risk is highest when children are getting on or off the bus, particularly for five to seven-year-olds who may be struck by motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus.

Drivers need to exercise caution in neighborhoods, near schools, and at bus stops as children do not behave like adults. Elementary school children can become easily distracted and may cross streets unexpectedly. They often cannot judge vehicle speed or distance accurately and may step into traffic from behind a bus without warning. Both children and law enforcement expect vehicles to stop for them at school bus stops.

School bus laws mandate that all drivers, including those on school property, must stop for a school bus operating its warning signals indicating that pupils are boarding or exiting.

Yellow flashing lights signal that the bus is preparing to stop. Drivers should slow down and prepare to halt their vehicles. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped for children to get on or off; drivers must wait until these signals cease before proceeding.

Even without flashing lights, drivers should remain vigilant for children around school arrival and dismissal times, especially when backing out of driveways or driving through neighborhoods, school zones, or near bus stops.

On two-lane roadways, all lanes of traffic must stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus. On four-lane roadways with two lanes traveling in the opposite direction of the bus, only traffic moving in the same direction as the bus must stop. Pupils should not cross four or more lanes of traffic.

On one-way roadways, all lanes must halt regardless of lane number when a school bus stops.

The area around a stopped school bus is referred to as the “DEATH ZONE,” where most injuries or fatalities occur due to motorists failing to heed flashing red lights and extended stop arms.

State law requires buses to halt at all railroad crossings whether students are aboard or not. Hazard warning lights will flash as buses momentarily assess safety before crossing. Vehicles approaching from the front may proceed cautiously past but those approaching from behind must not pass if within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.

Motorists can proceed after stopping for a school bus under three conditions: if the bus resumes motion; if signaled by the driver; or if flashing lights cease and stop arms retract.

Penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus include:

- A mandatory minimum fine of $300 and a three-month suspension of driver's license for first offenses.

- A mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 and a one-year suspension of driver's license for second offenses within five years.

- Offenders are also ineligible for court supervision.