Back to School Travel Tips for Drivers, Bike Riders and Pedestrians

BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com.com

Returning to school can be an exciting time for many children and parents.

But with extra vehicles on the roads, including school buses, it is important to remember Illinois State Law when approaching school zones and buses.

In a school zone:

• When approaching a school zone between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on days when school is in session, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph through the school zone.

• Drivers must also yield to any children or adults in the crosswalk and obey the signals of any marked crossing guard or school official.

• Drivers must stop and wait while a school bus loads or unloads.

• Using a cell phone while in a school zone is illegal for drivers of any age. Exceptions include calls made in emergency situations while using GPS or a hands-free device. Drivers under 19 are not allowed to use cell phones while driving unless calling in an emergency situation.

When passing a school bus:

• Drivers must come to a complete stop when a school bus operator extends the stop sign arm or when bus lights are flashing. The vehicle must stop at least 20 feet from the bus. Motorists can move again when the stop arm is retracted.

• Buses are required to stop at railroad crossings. When the bus operator extends the bus stop sign for a railroad, drivers traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop. Drivers behind the bus are required to stop and may not pass the bus within 100 meters of the crossing.

Students loading and unloading:

• Known as the “danger zone” getting on and off the bus is where most bus-riding student injuries happen.  The “danger zone” is the 10-feet around the bus where a child is difficult to see. Students should stay 10 “giant” steps away from the bus until they are ready to load. While waiting for the bus, take five “giant” steps away from the road.

• Students should never cross the road behind the bus.

• Once the bus has come to a complete stop, the student should wait for the okay to cross from the bus driver, and use the handrail as they climb the stairs.

• While riding the bus, students should sit facing forward while being respectful to all passengers, not causing distractions.

Pedestrians:

• Children under the age of 10 should be accompanied by an adult or responsible student on their way to and from school.

• Pause before crossing the street: look left and right and make sure cars are not turning onto the street and/or have come to a complete stop. Pedestrians should use marked crosswalks and designated intersections.

• Walk on the sidewalk if one is available. If not, walk in the direction of traffic.

Bike Riders:

• Plan a route so that an adult knows which way the child will travel to school.

• Go with the flow of traffic, ride on the same side of the road as other vehicles.

• A bicycle is a vehicle, and all rules that apply to cars, also apply to bicycles.

• Children should learn to be seen. It is important to children to be paying attention while they are on their bikes. Never assume a car driver knows what you are going to do. Be vigilant and signal, just as a car should.