By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – Kiddos are returning to school this week throughout the Twin City, and keeping them safe is a top priority.

Under Illinois law, motorists are prohibited from driving faster than 20 mph while passing a school zone on a school day when children are present.

Bloomington Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Brant Parsley explained when that speed limit is actually in place.

“A lot of schools actually do citizens a big favor and they have a light that flashes that you see and that signifies that children are present,” Parsley said.

“That’s the key factor for the school zone is that children have to be present. Just being inside the school in my opinion would not be present. To be present I would feel like you have to be on the playground, or being dropped off, or getting in a vehicle or a bus to leave the school, but that present is the main contributing factor for when that 20 mph zone is in effect.”

Drivers traveling through a school zone are held to a higher standard for the safety of the children in the area.

There are enhanced penalties for speeding in a school zone when compared to regular speeding offenses, including fines that could exceed $300.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].