With school back in session, the Illinois State Police want to remind motorists to pay attention for children, especially around area schools.

Illinois State Police Trooper Sean Ramsey recently appeared as a guest on the NewsTalk WTIM Morning Show and reminds motorists that passing a school bus with its stop sign out and flashers out has some stiff penalties.

Ramsey says he knows it is tempting for drivers to use their cell phones while driving, but it only takes a second of looking down to cause a crash.

Ramsey reminds motorists that kids sometimes don’t pay attention to cars coming in the roadway, so it’s especially important for drivers to be focused behind the wheel.