Never push when getting on or off of the school bus. See Figure 10.8. Question: I drive school bus and am a retired firefighter. School bus safety is a high priority in Pennsylvania. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is participating in Operation Stop Arm during Oct 21-25 to enforce [12] [13], Drivers in Washington state are not required to stop for a school bus on any highway (Under Washington law, any public road is defined as a highway) with three or more lanes when traveling in the opposite direction. ), send it to iwonder@king5.com. If there is a behavior problem on the bus, wait until the students unloading are safely off the bus and have moved away. Activate the alternating red lights when traffic is a safe distance from the school bus and ensure the stop arm is extended. Drivers must stop for school buses according to their state laws. Do not allow children to exit the bus before all traffic has come to a complete stop and the safety equipment has been engaged. Do not take your eyes off what is happening outside the bus. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Walk through the bus to ensure no students remain on the bus. School bus operation is the use of a school bus to transport only school children and/or school personnel from home to school and from school to home. An officer must witness the violation, and even when citations issued, getting convictions is often difficult;[11] sometimes traffic courts consider the evidence insufficient, or reduce the charge because the penalty for a first offense seems excessive. Check to make sure all of the children unloading from the bus are at a place of safety before deactivating your eight-way light system and moving the school bus. The mirror presents a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. However, you must recognize there may not be older, responsible students on the bus at the time of the emergency. The school bus manufacturers determine the maximum seating capacity of a school bus. You should never back a school bus when students are outside of the bus. Even if there are active railroad signals that indicate the tracks are clear, you must look and listen to be sure it is safe to proceed. Let me emphasize that caution is the key word. You need to check your mirrors before and during any turning movements to monitor the tail swing. Assign another student assistant to lead the students to a safe place after evacuation. You must stop at these crossings and follow proper procedures. 17. Pull over and stop the bus in a safe location. Do you stop, too? Pull over to the right edge of the road, or as near to the right as possible, and stop when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction. Never put a student off the bus except at school or their designated school bus stop. An emergency escape route does not exist for a train. Any driver who willfully or negligently blocks an ambulance, fire truck, or police car, who is responding to an emergency or pursuing a suspect may be issued a fine of up to $250. Drivers must be alert and aware of all other vehicles that they are sharing the road with, especially vehicles that Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. Here are the laws on when you must stop for these vehicles. However, a school bus does not have the slightest edge when involved in an accident with a train. The blind spot behind the bus extends 50 to 150 feet and could extend up to 400 feet depending on the length and width of the bus. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions. For more information, please call 1-800-CAR-BELT. Knowing what to do in an emergencybefore, during, and after an evacuationcan mean the difference between life and death. Does NHTSA consider a college or university a school for the purposes of its school bus regulations? If you cannot account for a student, secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus. But, you're most likely OK to continue since most ambulances aren't going to try plowing through the jersey barrier or drive through the grassy median to get into the opposing lanes. What about for emergency vehicles? Where should students walk to after exiting the bus? Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. If you choose to use a 15-passenger van, consult NHTSAs safety recommendations when operating a 15-passenger van. On divided highways, most American and Canadian jurisdictions do not require vehicular drivers to stop when on the opposite side of the road from a stopped school bus. Check all mirrors again. Plan your route so it provides maximum sight distance at railroad-highway crossings. Does federal law require school buses to be yellow? Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. What is the safest speed in traffic? If you that the offense is serious enough that you cannot safely drive the bus, call a school administrator or the police to come and remove the student. State and local laws and regulations regarding unloading students at schools, particularly in situations where activities take place in the school parking lot or other location off the traveled roadway, are often different than unloading along the school bus route. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety. See Figure 10.8. Escort all students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any grades 1 through 8, inclusive, who need to cross the highway or private road where the school bus stopped. You should always check each mirror before operating the school bus to obtain maximum viewing area. Remember, if your ABS malfunctions, you still have regular brakes. The law states that when approaching emergency vehicles that are going slow or stopped on any highway with at least two lanes of traffic, drivers are to reduce their speed to a reasonable speed below the speed limit and move over to the shoulder or breakdown lane or to the other lane, away from them. ABS is an add-on to your normal brakes, not a replacement for them. Parents, legal guardians, or chartering parties are prohibited from transporting on a bus that is equipped with safety belts, or permitting to be transported on a bus that is equipped with safety belts, a child, ward, or passenger who is under 8 years of age and under 4 feet 9 inches in height, but under 16 years old, unless they are properly restrained by a safety belt. Any deviation from this regulation shall require prior approval by an authorized The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, upon approaching a red or stop signal or any stop sign shall slow down as necessary for safety, but may proceed cautiously past such red or stop sign or signal after sounding siren and displaying red lights, except that a law enforcement vehicle responding to an emergency call shall sound its siren or display at least one lighted red light to the front.. The Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles on the highway. Some jurisdictions, mostly all in North America, require all surrounding vehicles to stop when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. School bus stop laws are laws dictating what a motorist must do in the vicinity of a bus stop being used by a school bus or other bus, coach or minibus providing school transport . Federal regulations apply only to the manufacture and sale/lease of new vehicles. Be sure to follow local procedures. Each state has laws and regulations governing how school buses must operate at railroad-highway crossings. When conducting a school bus operation as defined in the previous section. Washington, D.C. 20590, Twitter We all need to keep in mind the importance of safety around school buses, both drivers and children when it comes to getting on or off the bus. Look up the status of an active OL permit holder. On divided highways with a median or other physical barrier, traffic moving in the opposite direction does not have to stop. When driving on a multi-lane road (i.e. Typically, on a two-way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus, whether it is picking up or dropping off children and remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus signal has been withdrawn. The following procedures are meant to be general guidelines. 200 feet or 4 bus lengths behind the bus. NHTSA encourages dealers to obtain written confirmation from the purchaser that the vehicle will not be used in this manner for their records. Various configurations of school buses are used worldwide; the most iconic examples are the yellow school Count the number of students while unloading to confirm the location of all students before pulling away from the stop. As a general rule, student safety and control is best maintained by keeping students on the bus during an emergency and/or impending crisis situation, if it does not expose them to unnecessary risk or injury. If time permits, school bus drivers should contact their dispatcher to explain the situation before making a decision to evacuate the school bus. If your bus is so equipped, the overhead strobe light should be used when you have limited visibility. If your bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks, get everyone out and off the tracks immediately. For the purposes of NHTSAs school bus regulations, a school bus is a bus that is sold or introduced into interstate commerce for purposes that include carrying students to and from school or related events. What is a school, for the purposes of NHTSAs school bus regulations? Under NHTSAs school bus regulations, entities selling a new bus that is likely to be used significantly to transport students to preprimary, primary, or secondary school must sell a new school bus. The entity purchasing the bus, which will be providing the transportation, is not relevant for determining whether a school bus must be sold. The lookout should not give directions on how to back the bus. They consist of an X with the letters RR and a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads. If necessary, have the mirrors adjusted. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. When your steering wheels lock up, you lose steering control. You should position these mirrors to see: Figure 10.3 shows how both the outside left and right side convex mirrors should be adjusted. Students may drop an object near the bus during loading and unloading. 30101, et seq., a vehicle is regarded as being sold for use as a school bus if, at the time of sale, it is evident that the vehicle is likely to be significantly used to transport students to or from school or school-related events. The Safety Act defines a school bus as a bus that is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, or secondary students to or from school or related events. Among other matters, Guideline 17 recommends that school buses be painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow and have other uniform identifying characteristics. The position of the bus may change and increase the danger. ABS will help maintain vehicle control, but not always shorten stopping distance. Liability for using a non-complying bus to transport students is a matter addressed by state law. As of July 1, 2018, it is required that a passenger in a bus equipped with seat belts to be properly restrained by a safety belt. Necessarily shorten stopping distance. Drivers are required to stop for school buses when students are boarding and departing and when bus is displaying its flashing red lights. The best way to be aware of your surroundings at all times is to put the distractions away. Observe the students as they step from the bus to see that they all move promptly away from the unloading area. Secure the bus. In order to get students to and from school safely and on time, you need to be able to concentrate on the driving task. Students have been injured or killed when clothing, accessories, or even parts of their body are caught in the handrail or door as they exited the bus. When your other wheels lock up, you may skid or even spin the vehicle. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. It does not make any distinction in regards to divided highways. These mirrors, along with the convex and flat mirrors, should be viewed in a logical sequence to ensure that a child or object is not in any of the danger zones. Drivers nearing a stopped emergency vehicle that has lights activated (unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer) must: Remain off the side of the road until the emergency vehicle has passed. Insurance Reduction CoursesIn many states you can decrease your insurance rates by taking a driving course. If the gate stays down after the train passes, do not drive around the gate. Get to the school bus stop five minutes early so you won't have to run across the road to catch the bus. Web(3) Backing a school bus is prohibited unless an adult flagman assists or an emergency exists. A school bus is a passenger motor vehicle which is designed or used to carry more than 10 passengers in addition to the driver, and which the Secretary of Transportation determines is likely to be significantly used for the purpose of transporting pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school or school to home. If you cannot answer them all, reread Section 10. *Refer to the PMCP educational pamphlet for more information about these motor carriers. Gates. Passive crossings are those that do not have any type of traffic control device. When possible, assign 2 older, responsible student assistants to each emergency exit. School bus stop laws are laws dictating what a motorist must do in the vicinity of a bus stop being used by a school bus or other bus, coach or minibus providing school transport. [15] Ohio has a similar exception for roads with four or more lanes.[16]. 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection" requires that the interior of large buses provide occupant protection so that children are protected without the need to buckle -up. In many areas of the country, Love the Bus events are held on or around Valentine's Day. This article is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as legal advice or literal interpretation of any specific traffic law. Facebook Each year, PennDOT sponsors a school bus safety poster contest for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. When transportation is performed by the Federal Government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State (e.g., a public school district). Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you. Driver's EducationThis complete education course can help you learn everything you need to know before you get your driver's license. Does NHTSA consider a daycare, childcare center, or preschool a school for the purposes of its school bus regulations? They provide a view of traffic, clearances, and students at the side of the bus. If you are driving on a multi-lane road, like the kind Peter describes, you do not need to stop for the school bus if you are heading in the opposite direction.RCW 46.61.370 states the driver of a vehicle upon a highway divided into separate roadways as provided in RCW 46.61.150 need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction and is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children. A vehicle designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; A vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or. Address:225 East Robinson Street, Suite 570Orlando, FL 32801, About Us | Contact Us | Defensive Driving | State Directory | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy. When a private school, college, or university transports its students and/or personnel in CMVs, it is subject to the FMCSRs as a business PMCP. This means that you cannot easily see around you in front, behind, or beside the school bus. Be aware cross with care! If laws are broken, the bus driver may be charged with including but not limited to: child endangerment and disobeying laws. Drivers must also pull over for emergency vehicles when responding to an emergency. As a result, we advise dealers, prior to sale, to inquire whether buses purchased by these groups, or other entities who the seller believes may be purchasing the vehicle for pupil transportation, will be used significantly to transport students. A first-, second- and third-place winner is chosen in each category. Flashing Red Light Signals. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. Pavement Markings. Protect the scene. Backing is dangerous and increases your risk of an accident. 3 lanes in each direction) how many lanes are required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights? Brake the same way, regardless of whether you have ABS on the bus. Schools, school districts, and other student transportation providers should consult their attorneys or insurance carriers regarding liability concerns. Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Require all students who cross the highway or private road where the school bus stopped to walk in front of the bus as they cross. It may provide limited visibility directly behind the bus if the bus is equipped with a glass-bottomed rear emergency door. Stopping at school crossings Diagram 2-26 Drive slowly until You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. When the road crosses over more than one set of tracks, a sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks. Drivers must stay at least 100 feet behind ambulances in front of them, that are flashing or using a siren. If there is no radio or cell phone or they are inoperable, dispatch a passing motorist or area resident to call for help. Conducting a school for the purposes of its school bus permits, school driver... 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