To translate this page, please Bus Safety. Protected by the Law: Laws protect students who are getting off and on a school bus by making it illegal for drivers to pass a school bus while dropping off or picking up passengers, regardless of the direction of approach. See Figure 10.7. In addition, the area to the left of the bus is always considered dangerous because of passing cars. Get to the school bus stop five minutes early so you won't have to run across the road to catch the bus. What is a passive railroad-highway crossing? [14] This has been interpreted to mean that when approaching a bus from the opposite direction on a normal road with a turn lane, or a road with two lanes in each direction, etc., a driver is not required to stop their vehicle. Pavement markings mean the same as the advance warning sign. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. This mirror is used to monitor passenger activity inside the bus. At least 1 traffic lane on either side of the bus. Make certain no one is running to catch the bus. Approach cautiously at a slow rate of speed. You should closely observe all students exiting the bus to confirm that they are in a safe location prior to moving the bus. School transportation providers generally determine the number of people they can safely fit into a school bus seat. As a general rule, add 15 feet to the length of the school bus to determine an acceptable amount of containment or storage area. Where should students walk to after exiting the bus? These may include, but are not limited to, sports events, band concerts, field trips, and competitions such as debate or chess tournaments. In New Zealand, the New Zealand Transport Agency decided that the speed limit passing a stopped school bus should not be raised based on probabilities of pedestrian deaths if hit at different speeds, nor has it supported requiring fully stopping and waiting for school buses loading and unloading children as in the United States and Canada. Each year, during National School Bus Safety Week, PennDOT works with Pennsylvania State and municipal police departments to conduct Operation Safe Stop. Drivers must be alert and aware of all other vehicles that they are sharing the road with, especially vehicles that Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Always follow the "Five Alive" Operation Lifesaver steps when approaching a railroad track. If a dealer sells or leases a vehicle that does not meet the federal school bus safety standards, and the dealer knows or has reason to know that the bus was to be used significantly to transport students, the dealer may be subject to substantial civil penalties under the Safety Act. Take the ignition key with you if you leave your seat. Federal regulations do not prohibit the use of vans by schools, but require any van (with a capacity of more than 10) sold or leased for use as a school bus to meet the safety standards applicable to school buses. If a new school bus will be used to transport students between school and home, or between school and school bus stops, an MFSAB must not be sold. NHTSAs school bus regulations require that if a new bus that is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, or secondary school students to or from school or school-related events is sold, it must be certified to the federal school bus safety standards. Driver's EducationThis complete education course can help you learn everything you need to know before you get your driver's license. The front of the school bus must remain behind this line while stopped at the crossing. School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Approved Systems (PDF), School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System Approval Requirements (PDF), Operation Safe Stop - Public Participation Information (PDF), Operation Safe Stop - Law Enforcement Participation Information (PDF), PennDOT School Bus Safety Poster Contest Guidelines (PDF), National Association for Pupil Transportation. This would involve the proper use of mirrors, alternating flashing lights, and, when equipped, the moveable stop signal arm, and crossing control arm. Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, pro, 'A little scary': Iditarod begins with smallest, Legacy of Wounded Knee occupation lives on 50 y, Join The Free Press expert source network, Mankato teacher felt overwhelmed before leaving, Mankato developer Drummer purchasing Good Counsel property, Purchase agreement signed for sale of Good Counsel, Former hotel in North Mankato to be redeveloped for housing, commercial space, UPDATED: Washington woman killed, N. Mankato woman seriously injured in Hwy 19 crash, UPDATE: Authorities identify occupants in truck crash, Mankato East teacher among semifinalists for statewide Teacher of the Year, Lake Crystal woman leads state school board. Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. This forces the students to walk to the bus so you have a better view of their movements. hool bus if it has already left the bus stop. Be sure that all students are in the bus before backing. [citation needed], Bus drivers are prohibited to turn around at intersections with students on the bus. Follow the tips below to help ensure every stop is a safe school bus stop for children. Two-lane roadway All traffic from both directions must stop Two-lane with a center turning lane All traffic from both directions must stop Four-lane roadway All traffic from both directions must stop If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated website, please refer to the English version. WebTypically, 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 Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers across the road lane. 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. Protect the scene. 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. 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. However, the Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations in Part 382 and the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Regulations in Part 383 may apply. A bus is a motor vehicle that has capacity of 11 or more people (including the driver). Try to anticipate gusts. Know the length of your bus and size of the containment area at railroad-highway crossings on the school bus route, as well as any crossing you encounter in the course of a school activity trip. 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. When are you required to use a school bus? Students should be told to leave any dropped object and move to a point of safety out of the danger zones and attempt to get the drivers attention to retrieve the object. Many railroad-highway crossings have gates with flashing red lights and bells. In other words: Without ABS, you still have normal brake functions. In general, school buses must stop at all crossings, and drivers must ensure it is safe before proceeding across the tracks. Head Start programs should consult with the Office of Head Start if they have questions regarding compliance with those requirements. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Use caution when using a public computer or device. WebSchool buses must stop at railway crossings whether or not they are protected by gates or signal lights. These questions may be on your test. WebLaws for Stopping for School Buses and Emergency Vehicles. If a new school bus will not be used to transport students to and from home or school bus stops, an MFSAB may be sold. These active devices include flashing red lights with or without bells, and flashing red lights with bells and gates. I'm sure many people wonder the same thing. A train is approaching. Those that do require vehicles to stop are: American and Canadian jurisdictions have sought to deter illegal passing stopped school buses by increased enforcement and heavy penalties, including fines, application of demerit points against a driver's license or even license suspension. Emergency vehicles may include those with flashing lights, emergency vehicles responding to an emergency call, fire trucks, police officers, tow trucks, state bridge or parkway authority, utility companies, or maintenance companies. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. Dangle the radio microphone or telephone out of the drivers window and take your cell phone for later use, if operable. If necessary, have the mirrors adjusted. This round, black-on-yellow warning sign is placed ahead of a public railroad-highway crossing. You are unloading students along your route. Always obey your school bus driver's instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions. This includes knowing how to operate the various emergency exits and the importance of listening to and following all instructions given by you. Under normal brake conditions, your vehicle will stop as it always stopped. The entire area in front of the bus from the front bumper at ground level to a point where direct vision is possible. In order to get students to and from school safely and on time, you need to be able to concentrate on the driving task. Use of Nonconforming Vehicles for School Transportation, The Number of People Who Can Safely Sit on a School Bus Seat. Proceed when it is safe. When unloading at the school, you should follow these procedures: Dropped or Forgotten Objects. However, a school bus does not have the slightest edge when involved in an accident with a train. Post a lookout. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. State law should be consulted for determining use requirements. However, it is unclear whether having reported a decrease in passing violators is due to difficulty to report or better compliance by motorists. 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