School safety law depends on following the law
People living in rural areas, small towns, suburbs and even city residents are accustomed to seeing the old yellow school bus, but not everyone may be familiar with the special body of laws designed for the safety of school children being transported.
Upon approaching a school bus stopped for the purpose of loading or discharging pupils, a motorist traveling in either direction must stop and remain stopped until the bus signals are no longer activated. Failure to observe these rules can result in a conviction which carries a penalty of 30 days' suspension of the offending motorist's driver's license for the first offense, and greater penalties for repeat offenders.
School buses must be affixed with special visual equipment and other safety devices. In addition to the STOP arm on the driver's side of the bus, all school buses must be equipped with an 8-lamp flashing signal, permitting a red light to be used while the school bus is stopped, and an amber (or caution) light to be used just prior to and after stopping. The law states that these visual warnings can be used only when loading or discharging pupils.
Other safety devices required to be carried on school buses are fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Buses that carry 17 or more passengers and that were manufactured after July 31, 1976, must have laminated safety glass.
The law also makes special provisions relating to speed zones in the vicinity of school buildings. The rules require that when official signs are posted, no motorist shall drive in excess of 20 miles per hour during school days when school children are present.
To distinguish official school buses from other types of buses, the law provides that no vehicle other than one registered as a school bus can be painted the national school bus color, chrome yellow, nor can any other vehicle be identified with the words "school bus." When yellow school buses are used for transporting passengers on other than official school business, the "school bus" sign must be covered.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.
© Illinois State Bar Association
If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.