Soon school buses will be hitting streets in the Stateline once again, and starting this coming January, if you pass one illegally, get ready to pay a heftier fine.

In 2020, a new law will take effect that raises the fines for illegally passing school buses. On the first offense of illegal passing, the driver will receive a $300 fine. This fine is double the previous amount. A second offense will lead to a fine of $1000 instead of the original $500.

 

Anyone convicted of passing a stopped school bus will lose their driver’s license for at least three months.

 

Just so we're clear, Illinois law states:

 The driver of a vehicle shall stop such vehicle before meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus stopped on a highway, roadway, private road, parking lot, school property, or at any other location, including, without limitation, a location that is not a highway or roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging pupils.

 

Maybe this diagram the Rockton Fire Protection District shared on Facebook last year will help you understand the law a little bit better...

Rockton Fire Protection District via Facebook
Rockton Fire Protection District via Facebook
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Now that you know the law, there are no excuses....stop for school buses and keep everyone safe!

Catch Lil Zim on Q98.5 Mornings 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook

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