McHenry County Deputies Enforcing School Bus Stop Arm Violations

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — With a new school year starting, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office advises drivers to please watch out for children walking and biking to and from school, and while they're at their bus stops. According to the sheriff's office, deputies will be out enforcing school bus stop arm safety, and will be ticketing those who violate the law. The sheriff's office wants drivers to be aware that the ticket is "big," and those who are found guilty of passing a bus when required to stop will have their license suspended, according to deputies.

"Officers know that when they write the ticket, but they also know the consequences of not writing the ticket could be much worse," deputies wrote Wednesday on the sheriff's office Facebook page.

More: Back-To-School Bus Safety: What To Do When Stop Arm Is Extended

The law in Illinois specifically states:

"The driver is required to stop his or her vehicle before passing the school bus from either direction. An exception is when the driver is on a highway with four or more lanes with at least two lanes of traffic in either direction. If the driver is going in the opposite direction of the bus, they do not have to stop. The driver of the vehicle shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the driver of the vehicle is signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated."

Tell us, do you see drivers stopping for school buses, and driving a school zone speed limit? If not, is there a specific area or school zone where you believe an increase in police presence is necessary? Reply below.