Watch for Kids and Buses
With the school year approaching, it is imperative to be cognizant of school buses and school zones. During peak traffic times school buses may be loading or dropping off children in our neighborhoods. For the safety of everybody, one must be aware of the rules of the road when encountering these situations.
When a school bus is stopped with red flashing lights activated and stop signal arm extended, vehicles traveling in all directions are required to come to a complete stop until the red flashing lights stop and the stop signal arm is no longer extended. (Covered under 625 ILCS 5/11-1414)
- This statute applies on and off the roadway in areas such as private roads, school property, or parking lots.
- In situations where a school bus is stopped on a four-lane roadway with two lanes allowing opposite direction of travel, oncoming traffic is not required to stop for school buses loading and unloading.
- Any violator convicted under this statute will face a mandatory three month suspension of their driver's license.
- Fees and court costs can be expensive as well.
All drivers must obey school speed zones. (Covered under 625 ILCS 5/11-605)
- School Zones are in effect on normal school days from 7 am to 4 pm and when children are present.
- Outside of these designated provisions, the normal speed limit of the roadway applies.
It is for the safety of everybody motorists must pay extra attention while driving near school buses and in School Zones. Together, we can make sure everyone gets to school safely.
Huntley Safety 1st is the monthly education series written by the staff of the Huntley Police Department. On the first of each month, we provide citizens with information on a different public safety related issue.