Traffic Offenses: Tickets for Failing to Stop

 Posted on September 23,2015 in Traffic Offenses

In Illinois, there are a number of different traffic offenses that involve a failure of the driver to stop when stopping is appropriate or required. Some of the most commonly cited traffic offenses of this nature include failure to stop at a railroad crossing, failure to stop for a school bus and failure to stop for pedestrians. If you receive a citation for any of these offenses, an experienced traffic offense lawyer can help you fight these alleged violations.

Failure to Stop at a Railroad Crossing

Failure to stop at a railroad crossing is governed by 625 ILCS 5/11-1201. Under the law, a driver must stop at least 15 feet from a railroad track crossing when:

• A railroad crossing gate is lowered;
• Electric or mechanical signage at a railroad crossing indicates that a train is coming;
• A train sounds its horn, signaling that it is approaching the crossing;
• A train is plainly visible, thereby constituting an immediate hazard to anyone in the crossing; or
• A train is approaching so closely as to create an immediate hazard to anyone in the crossing.

Drivers who violate the law face a fine of $250 for a first-time offense and the potential for up to 25 hours of community service. A second offense warrants a $500 fine and a six-month driver’s license suspension.

Failure to Stop for a School Bus

Illinois statute 625 ILCS 5/11-1414 governs when a driver fails to stop for a school bus. The law requires that when school buses stop to load or unload children riders, other drivers must come to a complete stop when the bus displays a flashing stop sign. The only time that drivers do not have to stop for a stopped school bus is when the bus is stopped on a four-lane highway, where two lanes of the highway are going in the opposite direction. Drivers traveling in the two lanes going in the opposite direction are not required to stop for the stopped school bus.

Failure to stop for a school bus will cost drivers $150 in fines for a first offense and loss of a driver’s license for a period of three months. A second offense will cost $500 in fines and will result in the loss of a driver’s license for a period of one year.

Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian

Drivers have an obligation to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk under 625 ILCS 5/11-903. Under the law, drivers must come to a complete stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is not marked with signage. Penalties for failing to stop for pedestrians vary from county to county, but typically range from $50 to $500.

Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley

If you have received a citation for failing to stop at a railroad crossing, for a school bus, or for a pedestrian, you need to fight your ticket. Please contact an experienced Rolling Meadows traffic offenses lawyer immediately. Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley. Our phone number is 847-253-3100.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-1201

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-1414

http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-903.htm