Rockford police to target violators of school bus flashing lights, stop arms

Online Staff Report

Rockford police will be targeting motorists who fail to stop for school buses that are displaying flashing lights and stop arms, according to a Dec. 6 release from the Rockford Police Department.

The Illinois Compiled Statutes requires all drivers to stop for properly marked school buses when the flashing lights and stop arm are activated for loading and unloading children.

625 ILCS 5/11-1414 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall stop such vehicle before meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus stopped at any location for the purpose of receiving or discharging pupils.”

Police remind drivers it is their responsibility to look out for the children.

When a bus is engaged in loading or unloading children, all vehicular traffic must stop in both directions. A roadway having four or more lanes has limitations to the requirement as set by 625 ILCS 5/11-1414 (e): “The driver of a vehicle upon a highway having 4 or more lanes which permits at least 2 lanes of traffic to travel in opposite direction need not stop such vehicle upon meeting a school bus which is stopped in the opposite roadway.”

A conviction of this section will result in a suspension of driving privileges for a three-month period.

Posted Dec. 6, 2012