Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

Nearly half the deaths that occurred near school buses were attributed to motorists who failed to stop for a school bus that had activated its red lights and stop sign.

The good news for Illinois is that, for the 11th consecutive year, our state posted zero loading zone fatalities. Of course, our success rate is only as impressive as our performance today, tomorrow and every day in the future.

The most effective means of preventing loading zone fatalities lies with a continuous education campaign of the motoring public of the rules that prohibit drivers from passing stopped school buses.

Please observe these rules of the road pertaining to school buses:

• On a two-lane road, traffic must stop in both directions when the red lights flash and the school bus’s stop signal is extended. Traffic must use caution when the flashing lights are amber and drivers must be prepared to stop.
• On a multiple-lane road, traffic traveling in the same direction of a school bus with flashing red lights and stop signal must stop behind the bus.
• Be prepared for a sudden stop any time you are driving near a school bus.
• There also are rules of the road that must be observed when driving through posted school zones — the roadways adjacent to school properties.
• The general speed limit in a school zone drops to 20 miles per hour during school hours when children are present.
• It is unlawful for drivers to talk on cell phones while driving in a school zone.

I am extremely proud of the record we have achieved and in the protection we have afforded our school children. Among our most sacred responsibilities as adults is to ensure that our children are safe as they travel to and from school.

White is currently serving his third term as Illinois secretary of state. His office produced the Toby the Tire School Bus Safety Program.