The Gardian Angel safety lighting system is now allowed for use on school buses in Illinois.

The system, created by former school bus mechanic Steve Gardner, uses a white LED flood light at the front of the bus to illuminate the path for students to cross the street and to make the students more visible to motorists.

Illinois is the 22nd state to allow the lighting system as optional school bus equipment. Earlier this month, Delaware became the 21st state to approve the lighting system.

Illinois school districts and contractors would need to get approval from the State Department of Transportation prior to installing Gardian Angel, according to the system’s supplier. In addition, the state requires that the LED light be mounted under the front bumper or undercarriage of the school bus (positioned at a 45-degree angle downward) to light the driver’s side and/or right side of the bus, and does not allow versions of the Gardian Angel with red flashing strobes, Gardner told SBF.

The Gardian Angel light automatically turns on when the red lights are activated and turns off when the entrance door of the bus is closed.

For more information, go to www.gardianangelllc.com.