What To Do When a School Bus Has Its ‘Stop’ Sign Out in Illinois

With school buses starting to roll again, please remember other people's children are on those buses. The greatest risk to a child is not riding a bus, but approaching or leaving one, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There are some hefty fines attached to disregarding school buses at are stopped, on the road, with its sign out (or extended). You better believe there's zero tolerance for ignoring or being distracted when that STOP sign is out.

If you are unsure of what the laws are depending on what type of road you're on, this will help.

Two-Lane Roadway

When a school bus is traveling on a two-lane roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off pupils, the vehicles in all lanes of traffic must stop. Vehicles should stop at least 20 feet before reaching the school bus to allow pupils to cross the roadway safely.

Four-Lane Roadway

When a school bus is traveling on a four-lane roadway with at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the opposite direction, only those lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction as the school bus must stop.

One-Way Multiple Lanes Roadway

When a school bus is traveling on a one-way roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off pupils, all lanes of traffic must stop, regardless of the number of lanes of traffic.

Read more HERE but be aware of the fines attached to not following those instructions. The fines for illegally passing a school bus with its stop sign out and lights blinking start at $300 and at least a 3-month driver's license suspension? A second fine increases to $1,000 and an even longer time without a license.

JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.