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When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus: on a two-lane road on multi-lane highways on divided highways Share the Road Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Is there a hazardous spill involved? Always use caution when approaching a stopped school bus. Your school bus will have a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel if equipped with ABS. When you come to a four way stop who has the right away? When a school bus has the stop sign out and the red lights flashing, drivers are required to stop: on two-lane, undivided roads, in both directions. The convex mirrors are located below the outside flat mirrors. The statute requires: Following these two rules will allow for safer drivers, safer children and safer neighborhoods. The Governors Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) reports that in New York State, 2.3 million children are transported by more than 50,000 school buses annually. Can you pass a bus with flashing yellow lights? Red flashing lights indicate that the bus is stopped and students are getting on or off. And every time someone doesn't stop for the bus, a child's life is at risk. In many areas of the country, Love the Bus events are held on or around Valentine's Day. Stop at least 20 feet away from buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway. For more information, please call 1-800-CAR-BELT. You may or may not be able to stop faster with ABS, but you should be able to steer around an obstacle while braking, and avoid skids caused by over braking. If a school bus is still moving but coming to a stop, and its lights are flashing - yellow or red - it is illegal to pass. When students are loading at the school campus, you should: Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in Section 10. Allow you to drive faster, follow more closely, or drive less carefully. If necessary, pull the bus over to handle the problem. If the bus is also equipped with amber or yellow lights, these lights are used to signal that the bus will be slowing down. Stop for flashing red lights or a stop sign on a school bus regardless of which direction you're headed. Watch for lane changes! What does it mean if a school bus has flashing amber lights flashing? California Vehicle Code 22454 (a) prohibits a driver from passing a school bus when: The bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading any school children; and, The bus displays flashing red lights and/or a stop signal . 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. You should position these mirrors to see: Figure 10.3 shows how both the outside left and right side convex mirrors should be adjusted. The mirror presents a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. First conviction - fine of $250-$400 and/or up to 30 days in jail, Second conviction within 3 years - fine of $600-$750 and/or up to 180 days in jail, Vehicle Owners - A law was passed in 2019, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, Governors Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) website, Automated Records Access for Businesses and Government, DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application. Remind the offender of the expected behavior. A decision to evacuate should include consideration of the following conditions: Mandatory Evacuations. As the yellow lights come on the speed limit is reduced to 20mph, regardless of what the street signs say. For more information, review Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law Fact Sheet. Any roadway, highway, private road or parking lot located on school property. Wisconsin Statute section 346.48 tells operators of vehicles what to do when approaching a school bus when the bus is displaying flashing red lights. When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction. When you're traveling behind a school bus that begins flashing their lights the answer is very clear; you need to stop. Be sure to provide adequate instruction so that every student is familiar with school bus emergency procedures and equipment use, as well as the safe loading and unloading procedures. 60 (Peace River North) near Fort St. John. "It's a. Each school district establishes official routes and school bus stops. Because of a trains size and weight it cannot stop quickly. Under S. 175 (11,12) of the Highway Traffic Act, if the school bus is stopped and has its overhead red lights flashing, drivers who are "meeting" the bus must stop before reaching it and must not . You are required to yield the right-of-way to the train. As a result, knowing what to do before, during, and after loading or unloading students is critical. "When the school bus gets ready to stop, the lights come on and they're yellow. According to The Bellingham Herald, the general rule is that drivers overtaking or meeting a school bus that's stopped on the side of the road and has activated a visual signal shall stop before reaching it. The six winners of the competition are also recognized at an event held during National School Bus Safety Week. Crossbuck Signs. Knowing what to do in an emergencybefore, during, and after an evacuationcan mean the difference between life and death. Students should board the bus only when signaled by the driver. Factors that likely contribute to these statistics: The smaller stature of younger children makes them more difficult for bus drivers and motorists to see. Details: WebThe Michigan school bus traffic laws prohibit drivers from passing a school bus that is stopped and has its red lights flashing. Observe the right-of-way rules. The driver must evacuate the bus when: Be Prepared and Plan Ahead. ABS helps you avoid wheel lock up and maintain control. Watch for children - they can come from all directions, especially if they're running late. Flashing Red Light Signals. If you re going the opposite direction, though, passing a school bus with flashing yellow lights is okay. Strong winds affect the handling of the school bus! Plan your route so it provides maximum sight distance at railroad-highway crossings. Like most other states, school bus rules in Texas dictate you stop if you see the flashing red lights. on roads that are divided to separate the directions of travel, in the direction that the bus is traveling. Maryland's law requires: If a school vehicle has stopped on a road and is operating the alternately flashing red lights, the driver of any vehicle following or approaching the school bust. Your visibility could be only slightly limited or be so bad that you can see nothing at all. If there is no police officer, and you believe the signal is malfunctioning, call your dispatcher to report the situation and ask for instructions on how to proceed. Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches. The NY State Education Department, Department of Pupil Transportation, states that the youngest students are most at risk. At Murphy & Prachthauser we practice personal injury law the way it should be practiced motivated and equipped to do our best for you. See Figure 10.8. The danger zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit, either by another vehicle or their own bus. See Figure 10.6. In the foggy Central Valley of California, flashing white strobe lights are mounted on top of the bus to assist other drivers in seeing the school bus approaching or at a stop. School bus safety is a high priority in Pennsylvania. Sadly, not everyone does stop when the school bus lights are flashing and kids could be on the road. Fairfax County Public Schools runs more than 1,600 buses daily. Please enable scripts and reload this page. If you drive past a stopped school bus with its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated, you can face: First offence fines ranging from $400 to $2,000 6 demerit points Each following offence fines ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 6 demerit points possible jail time of up to 6 months Stop arm cameras on school buses Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Your actions could mean the difference between life and death. What is a passive railroad-highway crossing? All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop. How many feet around a school bus is considered the danger zone? If the lamp stays on after the bulb check, or goes on once you are under way, you may have lost ABS control at 1 or more wheels. Handrail Hang-Ups. Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight. Perform a safe stop as described in Section 10. A first-, second- and third-place winner is chosen in each category. This mirror is mounted directly above the windshield on the drivers side area of the bus. If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. If you have a case you would like to speak to a lawyer about, please contact us to schedule a free consultation and get an experienced team of lawyers working on your behalf. When approaching a school bus traveling in the opposite direction, a driver must slow the vehicle to 20 miles per hour or less when yellow lights are seen, and be prepared to stop when the stop arm is extended and red lights flash. Watch. 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. Other states with similar rules include West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Bus drivers dont just stop before turning the red lights on. When a school bus has its red flashing lights on and its stop arms extended, students are either getting off . What position should students be in, in front of the bus, before they cross the roadway? The Michigan school bus traffic laws prohibit drivers from passing a school bus that is stopped and has its red lights flashing. August 31, 2022 by Steven M. Gursten. Wisconsin Statute section 346.48 tells operators of vehicles what to do when approaching a school bus when the bus is displaying flashing red lights. The red lights should be a sign that children are in the area and vehicles should be stopped. When should you activate your alternating flashing amber warning lights? Remember: The best vehicle safety feature is still a safe driver. They keep flashing for about 30 seconds after the door closes and continue even after the bus moves off. You must stop at these crossings and follow proper procedures. Also, if there are still children on the side of the road, you have to drive slowly until youre past them. This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. Remaining stopped until the bus starts moving or turns off the flashing red lights. (See Figure B) Drivers need to be aware of that," Peterborough County OPP constable Joe Ayotte said. This will keep the students from being hit by debris if another vehicle collides with the bus. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. ABS will help maintain vehicle control, but not always shorten stopping distance. The theme for this year is "1 Bus + 1 Driver = a BIG Impact on Education." It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. In addition, the area to the left of the bus is always considered dangerous because of passing cars. Prepare information for emergency responders. If the school bus is on a street with a raised or center median, or with more . 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. Be especially careful at passive crossings. 257.682 Stopping for school bus displaying flashing red lights; violation as civil infraction; meeting stopped school bus on divided highway; proof; rebuttable presumption; use of stop-arm camera system; definitions. You are in a very demanding situation when entering these areas. Mechanical/operational problems with the bus, with special attention to items that are unique to school busesmirror systems, flashing warning lamps, and stop signal arms. If the school bus is so equipped, activate alternating flashing amber warning lights at least 200 feet or approximately 5-10 seconds before the school bus stop or in accordance with state law. comments on Quick Answer: What Do Flashing Red Lights On A School Bus Indicate? It is also an opportunity to honor the many school bus drivers that safely transport students to and from school every day. Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop. When interacting with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Virtual Assistant, please do not include any personal information. Where should students walk to after exiting the bus? Direct and mirror view vision should overlap. School buses not only alert drivers to the presence of children, but the rules of the road require drivers to act in a certain way around buses to enhance the safety of the children getting off the bus. The Pupil Transportation Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association hold a Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Safe Driving Competition every June to test school bus drivers' knowledge of safety rules and safe operation of their buses in two types of bus categories: conventional and transit. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. 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. After that, you only start moving when the bus has removed the visual signal by retracting the stop sign or stopping the flashing red lights. You should always check each mirror before operating the school bus to obtain maximum viewing area. Drivers break the law if they do not stop immediately. If the school bus is so equipped, activate alternating flashing amber warning lights at least 200 feet or approximately 510 seconds before the school bus stop or in accordance with state law. How far does the danger zone extend around the bus? Each year, PennDOT participates in National School Bus Safety Week, which will be celebrated this year from Oct. 18-22, 2021. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official. You should closely observe all students exiting the bus to confirm that they are in a safe location prior to moving the bus. Passive crossings are those that do not have any type of traffic control device. Account for all students and check for their safety. Retrieve emergency equipment. They consist of an X with the letters RR and a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads. Be alert. When you see flashing red or amber warning lights, you are not permitted to pass the school bus and should be prepared to stop. When you drive a vehicle with ABS, you should brake as you always have. Remember, the decision to evacuate the bus must be a timely one. Will you be more careful now that you know the 20ft rule? If your bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks, get everyone out and off the tracks immediately. If it will not fit, do not commit! These lights could be malfunctioning. The area from the front of the bus to the service door. Drivers must remain stopped until the school bus resumes moving down the road or turns off its red . To attract attention, most school buses display flashing amber or red lights, or a lowered "STOP" arm when stopped. When the lights begin to flash, you must stop! According to Florida Statute 316.172, you must stop when approaching any school bus that displays the stop signal and has its red lights flashing. Each year, during National School Bus Safety Week, PennDOT works with Pennsylvania State and municipal police departments to conduct Operation Safe Stop. Even if the bus driver waves you ahead, you should still remain vigilant and keep to slower speeds. Why should you be extra cautious at this type of crossing? A school bus will have alternating flashing lights and a mechanical stop-sign arm extended while passengers are entering or leaving the bus. The bus is stalled on or adjacent to a railroad-highway crossing. Passive crossings have yellow circular advance warning signs, pavement markings, and crossbucks to assist you in recognizing a crossing. They should be far enough away so the bus cannot topple on them. However, the decision to proceed rests entirely in your hands. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Secure the bus. You should back your bus only when you have no other safe way to move the vehicle. The bus driver may also indicate for you to go ahead, although even then, you must exercise due caution just in case there are still kids trying to cross the road. Increase or decrease ultimate stopping power. If there is no white line painted on the pavement, you must stop the bus before the crossbuck sign. How should you use your brakes if your vehicle is equipped with ABS. Talk quietly; do not distract your school bus driver. Protect the scene. If you have ever been stuck behind a school bus, you might have noticed that some buses are equipped with both yellow and red flashing lights. The driver must ensure that these mirrors are properly adjusted. Readers ask: When Is The Next Mta Bus Operator Exam? On a two lane road or if you're on a one lane road passing them going the same way, it . Ensure that the mirrors are properly adjusted so you can see: Figure 10.2 shows how both the outside left and right side flat mirrors should be adjusted. Observe the students as they step from the bus to see that they all move promptly away from the unloading area. The Danger Zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the driver (ten feet in front of the bus where the driver may be too high to see a child, ten feet on either side of the bus where a child may be in the drivers blind spot, and the area behind the school. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. on roads that are divided to separate. Quick Answer: How To Take The Bus In Boston? Drivers who do not stop for the red, flashing lights may face fines up to $1,000; they could also have their licenses suspended for up to a year. The yellow ABS malfunction lamp is on the bus instrument panel. The Governors Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) reports that in New York State, 2.3 million children are transported by more than 50,000 school buses annually.Laws protect students who are getting on and off a school bus by making it illegal for drivers to pass a school bus while the school bus is stopped for the purpose of dropping off or picking up passengers and the red lights on the school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction of approach. The visual signal, in this case, is a stop sign extended out of the bus, flashing red lights, or both. These active devices include flashing red lights with or without bells, and flashing red lights with bells and gates. The side of a school bus acts like a sail on a sailboat. 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.