Deep down, you know the risks of driving over the speed limit. You are more likely to crash, resulting in injuries. You may have difficulty stopping in time or adjusting to changes in the road. Driving too fast can also result in a speeding ticket.

A speeding ticket may seem like a common thing, and your impulse may the to pay the fine and move on with your life. However, this may not always be the most advantageous choice. Paying the fine means you accept the charges, and that is the same as having a conviction on your record. While you certainly understand the consequences of having a serious crime such as a felony on your record, you should also know that even a traffic ticket can cause trouble for your future.

Questioning the evidence

As with most legal questions, the answer is: sometimes. You can never pass a school bus when you and the bus are going in the same direction, regardless of how many lanes a road has. However, on a 4-lane road with at least 2 lanes of travel going in each direction, you need not stop for a school bus stopped in the opposite lanes of traffic. For example, if you are driving eastbound on a 4- or 5-lane stretch of Roosevelt Road in Wheaton, you need not stop for a westbound school bus.

Illinois imposes serious penalties for improperly passing a stopped school bus, which is probably why drivers can be overly cautious when they see a stopped school bus on a 4-lane road. If you are convicted of improperly passing a school bus, you cannot receive court supervision and the Secretary of State is required to suspend your license. The mandatory suspension period is 3 months on a first conviction, which is a long time to go without a car.