Never put a student off the bus except at school or their designated school bus stop. 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.. Loading and unloading requires all your concentration. When should you activate your alternating flashing amber warning lights? The following procedures are meant to be general guidelines. What should you be able to see if the outside flat mirrors are adjusted properly? (See Figure A) 2) Stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights if you are on a divided highway and on the same side of the highway as the school bus. This mirror is used to monitor passenger activity inside the bus. WebOn a divided roadway, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop. Never cross the street behind the school bus. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE The mirror presents a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus each year than are killed as passengers inside of a school bus. The speed limit is 40km/h (24.9mph) in Australia and 20km/h (12.4mph) in New Zealand[25] when passing a stopped school bus. (See Figure B) Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers across the road lane. Drive normally, but get the system serviced soon. RCW 46.61.210 states that when you see the approach of an emergency or police vehicle that is using its lights and sirens, you shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. 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. WebPennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. After unloading at school, why should you walk through the bus? 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. Make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach. The following chart explains the applicability of the FMCSRs except Parts 382 and 383 in the context of student/school-related transportation in interstate commerce. 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. See Figure 10.7. 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. If time permits, school bus drivers should contact their dispatcher to explain the situation before making a decision to evacuate the school bus. Proper adjustment and use of all mirrors is vital to the safe operation of the school bus in order to observe the danger zone around the bus and look for students, traffic, and other objects in this area. What is a school, for the purposes of NHTSAs school bus regulations? Lead students upwind of the bus at least 300 feet if there is a risk from spilled HazMat. ABS should prevent brake-induced skids but not those caused by spinning the drive wheels or going too fast in a turn. Generally, if a stopped school bus is displaying a flashing, alternating red lamp, a driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking the stopped bus from either direction (front or back) must stop and wait until the bus moves again or the red light is off. Drivers are required to stop for school buses when students are boarding and departing and when bus is displaying its flashing red lights. Drivers must stay at least 100 feet behind ambulances in front of them, that are flashing or using a siren. While in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, drivers are directed to drive carefully past stopped school buses. How do NHTSAs school bus regulations apply to vehicle dealers? The financial responsibility requirements do not apply to a motor vehicle transporting only school children and teachers to or from school. Because of a trains size and weight it cannot stop quickly. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions. Please include your first name and where you are writing from so we can post it with your question. 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. Remember, the decision to evacuate the bus must be a timely one. For more information on School Bus Safety Week, visit National Association for Pupil Transportation. 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. WebRemember that vehicles that transport people with disabilities can be equipped as school buses and you must stop for them as you would for other school buses. Motorists traveling in the opposite direction on a divided roadway are not required to stop. normal flow of traffic, blend in with others 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. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. Passive Crossings. Assign another student assistant to lead the students to a safe place after evacuation. 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. Walk through the bus to ensure no students remain on the bus. 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. Under normal brake conditions, your vehicle will stop as it always stopped. The school bus requirements do not apply to the transportation of post-secondary school students such as college students, adult education participants, or post-high school vocational students. At many railroad-highway crossings, the crossbuck sign has flashing red lights and bells. The dome light should be on while loading in the dark. Yes, and can only go when red flashing lights are off. Some school buses are equipped with roof-mounted, white strobe lights. Active Crossings. Federal law regulates the manufacture and sale of new vehicles, but does not regulate vehicle use. When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder. hool bus if it has already left the bus stop. In Belgium and Germany, traffic is required to pass stopped school buses at very slow speeds that allow for quick stopping. Keep in mind that when a driver racks up 10 points on his or her license, the DMV can suspend the license. All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop. A bus is a motor vehicle that has capacity of 11 or more people (including the driver). Low 16F. Pavement markings mean the same as the advance warning sign. How far does the danger zone extend around the bus? Would removing students expose them to speeding traffic, severe weather, or a dangerous environment such as downed power lines? They are used to monitor the left and right sides at a wide angle. WebA driver of a vehicle does not have to stop upon meeting a stopped school bus when traveling in the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway or multi-lane private road. After you stop for a school bus, look for children along the side of the road. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. [citation needed], The National Conference of State Legislators has reported an increase in the number of states using school bus stop-arm cameras to record motorists who violate school bus traffic laws. Observe the students as they step from the bus to see that they all move promptly away from the unloading area. Wait for the bus driver to signal that its safe to cross. As a general rule, add 15 feet to the length of the school bus to determine an acceptable amount of containment or storage area. The loading procedure is essentially the same wherever you load students, but there are slight differences. (NRS 484B.353) They consist of an X with the letters RR and a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads. Define the danger zone. What documents do you need to get an AB 60 license? When your route or school activity trip is finished, you should conduct a post-trip inspection of the bus. The first and most important consideration is for you to recognize the hazard. Pavement Markings. Continuously check mirrors to monitor the danger zones for students, traffic, and other objects. As a system check on newer vehicles, the malfunction lamp comes on at start-up for a bulb check and then goes out quickly. The Safety Act prohibits a school or school system from purchasing or leasing a new 15-passenger van if it will be used significantly by or on behalf of the school or school system to transport preprimary, primary, or secondary school students to or from school or related events, unless the van complies with FMVSSs prescribed for school buses or MFSABs. WebA school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the highway. Bus Stalls or Is Trapped on the Tracks. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. SafeMotorist.com Driving Safety Articles:This article was written by SafeMotorist.com defensive driving staff writers and reviewed for accuracy by defensive driving instructors. On a national basis, school bus drivers in the United States have reported a decrease in passing violators in recent years with improved warning devices. Students should board the bus only when signaled by the driver. WebTake Action: If there is a medical emergency on your bus, follow these procedures: 1. [19][20], In Pennsylvania, the only vehicle that may pass a stopped school bus with the red lights flashing is an emergency vehicle with its flashing lights and siren activated, but only after the emergency vehicle has come to a complete stop and proceeds with due caution for any students embarking or disembarking.[21][22]. For more information on the contest, and to view previous winners, click here. When an emergency vehicle is approaching, all drivers in the immediate area must move over to the right side of the road, and clear the intersection as much as possible, stop, and then stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. See Figure 10.5. Keystone State. State law should be consulted for determining use requirements. The front of the school bus must remain behind this line while stopped at the crossing. 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. 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. Information is available for passenger vehicles, school buses/vehicles, as well as, wheelchairs and child passenger safety restraints. Those vehicles are required to meet all FMVSSs for school buses. We will not post your last name or any other personal information. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods. Part 387 requires for-hire motor carriers operating in interstate commerce to have minimum levels of public liability insurance in the amounts below: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, United States Department of Transportation, National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, ADA Requirements for Over-the-Road Bus Companies, Apply for a New USDOT Number and/or Authority, Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, Public School Transportation provided by Governmental Entities, Private School Transportation of Pre-primary, Primary, and Secondary Students, Subject as Business Private Motor Carrier of Passengers (PMCP) Transportation*, Contract Transportation of Pre-primary, Primary, and Secondary Students. 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. Jurisdictions in the United States (including overseas territories) and Canada have adopted various school bus stop laws that require drivers to stop and wait for a stopped school bus loading or unloading, so as to protect school children boarding or alighting. In general, school buses must stop at all crossings, and drivers must ensure it is safe before proceeding across the tracks. It is important for you to understand and obey these state laws and regulations. Evaluate first aid needs. These questions may be on your test. Speak in a courteous manner with a firm voice. 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