Illinois Drivers: Don’t Pass a School Bus With Its Stop Arm Out
This is an important reminder for every driver in Illinois: it is illegal to drive past a school bus when its stop arm is extended and its red warning lights are flashing.
When a school bus stops to pick up or drop off kids, drivers are required to stop and remain stopped until the bus has resumed motion or the flashing lights are turned off and the stop arm is no longer extended. This applies because children may be crossing the road, and they can be difficult to see as they move around the bus.
Please don't assume you can squeeze around a buss, pass quickly, or continue driving because you don't see a child in the roadway. The stop arm is there for a reason: to protect children.
Getting somewhere a few seconds faster is never worth putting a child's life at risk.
Illinois law has serious consequences for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school but, including fines, the possibility of a driver's license suspension, and if a crash happens because of the illegal passing: jail time. If you see a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm extended, STOP.
"Vehicles traveling the same direction as the school bus are always required to stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus on a two-lane roadway must also stop. However, Illinois law does not require a driver to stop on a four-lane highway when traveling on the opposite two lanes from the school bus." [Davis Law Group]
Parents, teachers, bus drivers, and students are counting on all of us this school year to make the roads safer.
One simple rule can save a life: SEE THE STOP ARM? STOP.
Please remind new drivers that it's illegal to pass a stopped school bus with red flashing lights and stop arm out. Protect our students!
