School Zone and Pedestrian Signs: Fluorescent Yellow-Green
School and pedestrian signs use fluorescent yellow-green, a color reserved for pedestrian, school, and bicycle warnings. The exam tests school zone speed rules, school bus stopping law, and pedestrian right-of-way.
Core rules
- A five-sided (pentagon) fluorescent yellow-green sign marks a school zone or school crossing ahead.
- The Illinois school zone limit is 20 mph when children are present or during posted times; the sign states the hours. It is not 20 mph all day unless posted.
- When a school bus displays flashing red lights and its stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop on a two-lane road. On a four-lane highway with at least two lanes in each direction, oncoming traffic does not have to stop; traffic behind the bus always does.
- At a marked crosswalk without a signal, yield to a pedestrian crossing; Illinois requires drivers to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
- A fluorescent yellow-green pedestrian sign warns of a crossing; it does not give the pedestrian the right to step out against a signal.
Worked example
A school zone sign reads SCHOOL ZONE 20 MPH 7:30–9 AM AND 2:30–4 PM. At 10 AM, no children are present, so the 20 mph limit is not in force and you may travel the normal posted limit - but if children appear, the limit applies and you must slow immediately. Approaching a stopped school bus with red lights flashing on the same two-lane road, you stop in both directions until the lights stop.
Traps that cost marks
- Applying the 20 mph limit outside posted hours when no children are present, or ignoring it when they are.
- Passing a stopped school bus on a two-lane road.
- Confusing fluorescent yellow-green with plain yellow warning signs.
- Assuming a pedestrian signal always protects a pedestrian who steps out against it.