Lake County Gazette

A new law in Colorado requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet in front of a school bus that has flashing lights and an extended stop arm. The law aims to improve student safety as they get on or off the bus at the start of the school year.

Previously, drivers behind a stopped school bus were prohibited from passing it. Now, those approaching from the opposite direction must also stop unless there is a physical barrier, such as a median with grass or trees, separating the lanes. Painted lines or medians do not count as barriers.

Drivers must remain stopped until the red lights on the bus are no longer flashing and children have cleared the area.

“It’s really important for drivers to follow this common-sense rule of the road,” said Lisa Cyr, Transportation Coordinator for Westminster Public Schools. “It’s so easy for kids to dart into traffic without looking or assuming that drivers are stopping in both directions.”

Safety officials emphasize caution even when a physical barrier allows vehicles to continue driving. “Any time drivers are around students, they should pay extra attention and know that students can be easily distracted by friends and phones. It’s up to the adults to do everything they can to prevent a tragedy,” Cyr added.

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 serves schools across Lake County, including Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School and Waukegan High School among others (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district's student body is primarily Hispanic, with smaller percentages of Black, White, and Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 employs over 1,000 teachers who earn an average salary of $63,524; most are women and none had more than ten absences in one year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, spending per student was $23,429 for a total expenditure of $359 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).