Ball-Chatham Schools Upgrade Buses with High-Visibility Stop-Arm Extensions to Boost Student Safety

As student safety remains a top priority, Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District #5 has rolled out a smart new feature across its school buses to reduce dangerous incidents near bus stops.

What’s New

The district has partnered with Springfield-based BusGates to equip their school buses with LED-lit stop-arm extensions to increase safety. These attach to existing stop signs and extend an additional 72 inches, dramatically increasing visibility to oncoming drivers.

Why School Bus Stop Arm Safety Matters

Despite current safety measures like paint, lights, and cameras, Transportation Director Mark Daley emphasized that illegal passing remains a daily hazard:

“It’s extremely frustrating… we’re doing everything we can to get drivers to stop.” District buses captured 60 violations during the 2024–2025 school year. In comparison, a national poll of 31 percent of U.S. bus drivers reported 67,258 illegal passes in just one day. Capitol City Now

Voices from the Field

Bus driver and dispatcher Justin Brake shared his concerns:

“It’s always a scare that a driver is going to go past that stop arm… As a father of two, I’d be devastated if anything happened.” Capitol City Now

Rollout and Impact

At present, all buses in the district have been fitted with the extensions and the goal is to equip the entire 48-bus fleet by the start of the 2025–26 school year.

Final Thoughts

By adding illuminated stop-arm extensions, Ball-Chatham is taking a bold step toward reducing bus-stop accidents and protecting students. It's an investment with immediate safety benefits and long-term community impact.