Illinois Statutes Chapter 625. Vehicles § 5/12-803. Stop signal arm

§ 12-803. (a) Each school bus shall be equipped with a stop signal arm on the driver's side of the school bus that may be operated either manually or mechanically. Each school bus stop signal arm shall be an octagon shaped semaphore that conforms to 49 C.F.R. 571.131, “SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY DEVICES”, S5.1 through S5.5.

(b) Each school bus manufactured prior to September 1, 1992 shall be equipped with a stop signal arm that conforms to standards promulgated by the Department.

(c) A school bus may be equipped with an extension to the required stop arm that partially obstructs the roadway to ensure passenger safety.

(d) A maximum of 2 extensions to the required stop arms may be installed on the driver's side of the school bus.

(e) In addition to the lighting systems required under Section 12-805, each extension to the required stop arm must be equipped with a system of flashing red lights. The front side extension to the required stop arm must extend no more than 78 inches, measured from the side of the bus to furthest part of the extension to the required stop arm, and at a height not less than 36 inches from the ground. The rear side extension to the required stop arm must meet the same specification as the front side extension to the required stop arm except that it may not extend more than 32 inches, measured from the side of the bus to the furthest part of the extension to the required stop arm.

(f) No driver of a motor vehicle may make contact with any portion of a stopped school bus, including an extension to the required stop arm, or make contact with a school child within 30 feet of the school bus. A driver of motor vehicle that violates this subsection shall be subject to the penalties under Section 11-1414.