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. Always do a pre-trip inspection prior to every run to check for mechanical defects that could jeopardize safety. Turn on the right turn signal indicator about 100-300 feet or approximately 3-5 seconds before pulling over. Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you. If a school bus stops on a two lane road and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, all motorists MUST stop. Vehicles with ABS have yellow malfunction lamps to tell you if something is not working. For instance, if youre driving on a highway with a significant barrier in the middle, only the vehicles following the bus should stop. The position of the bus may change and increase the danger. There is a need to quickly evacuate because of a HazMat spill. Why School Bus Rules Of The Road Matter To You. The penalty for passing a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal goes from a minimum of $200 to $400 . After that, you only proceed if the lights stop flashing, the bus resumes motion, or the driver signals you onward. 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. A school bus will have alternating flashing lights and a mechanical stop-sign arm extended while passengers are entering or leaving the bus. There may be a white stop line painted on the pavement before the railroad tracks. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. Children can be unpredictable and may try to cross the road when its not safe to do so. 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. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. The area from the front of the bus to the service door. Passive crossings have yellow circular advance warning signs, pavement markings, and crossbucks to assist you in recognizing a crossing. What happens if you pass a school bus with flashing lights? Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window. When your steering wheels lock up, you lose steering control. At least 1 traffic lane on either side of the bus. These younger students are unable to see over or around objects such as parked cars or bushes. on a highway or trafficway shall stop at least ten feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the school bus are flashing and the side stop signal arms are activated under section 4552(b.1) (relating to general requirements for school . 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. According to California law, drivers must stop when a school bus stops in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing lights. 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. Count the number of students at the bus stop and be sure all board the bus. Remember: The best vehicle safety feature is still a safe driver. Machine translation is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. To translate this page, please You must proceed with caution and watch for children by the side of the road. If there is a behavior problem on the bus, wait until the students unloading are safely off the bus and have moved away. on roads that are divided to separate the directions of travel, in the direction that the bus is traveling. When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction. Drivers must stay stopped until the red lights are off. The visual signal, in this case, is a stop sign extended out of the bus, flashing red lights, or both. There is a blind spot area directly behind the drivers seat, as well as a large blind spot area that begins at the rear bumper and could extend up to 400 feet or more behind the bus. Be extra careful to look around before moving your vehicle, as children may be walking in front of, behind, or on the side of school buses. Would removing students expose them to speeding traffic, severe weather, or a dangerous environment such as downed power lines? For more information, please call 1-800-CAR-BELT. The purpose of the lookout is to warn you about obstacles, approaching persons, and other vehicles. Never put a student off the bus except at school or their designated school bus stop. The content currently in English is the official and accurate source for the program information and services DMV provides. This would involve the proper use of mirrors, alternating flashing lights, and, when equipped, the moveable stop signal arm, and crossing control arm. It is critical that you understand and follow all state and local laws and regulations regarding approaching a school bus stop. At the School Transportation Safety Committee meeting in Pinellas County in October, the county's transportation director said they were working with the school board and the transportation staff to evaluate options for crossing locations along Belleair Road. Figure 10.4 illustrates how the left and right side crossview mirrors should be adjusted. Figure 10.1 illustrates these danger zones. Approximately 100 school bus drivers from across Pennsylvania participate in the competition each year. Brake the same way, regardless of whether you have ABS on the bus. Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. Do not depend on these lights if traveling behind a school bus. A safe place will be at least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic. Keep these rules on school buses in mind as the school year comes to an end and look out for the safety of the children in your neighborhood. des moines, ia, u.s. - traffic crash involving school bus and . The outside convex mirrors? Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches. Position yourself to supervise unloading. Look for clues-such as safety patrols, crossing . What must a driver do at a flashing yellow light? Lastly, New York is one of the few states where you must stop, even on the opposite side of a divided highway. When approaching from the opposite . Is the bus in the path of a sighted tornado or rising waters? Remember, children are often unpredictable and may not see you coming. Join waiting students. Prepare information for emergency responders. In general, school buses must stop at all crossings, and drivers must ensure it is safe before proceeding across the tracks. Stop at least 20 feet away from buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway. These limits are in effect on school days from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Always follow the "Five Alive" Operation Lifesaver steps when approaching a railroad track. Quick Answer: How To Take The Bus In Boston? michigan school bus rules Verified 2 days ago The advance warning sign tells you to slow down, look and listen for the train, and be prepared to stop at the tracks if a train is coming. Penalties for Failing to Stop for a School Bus in Virginia. When you brake hard on slippery surfaces in a vehicle without ABS, your wheels may lock up. Pennsylvania law prohibits any items including students from barricading the aisles and the emergency exit. For more information, review Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law Fact Sheet. 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. The information in this section is intended to provide a broad overview, but is not a definitive set of actions. This is becoming a concern in School District No. 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. To warn other motorists or pedestrians on a roadway during a backing maneuver, the operator of a school bus may flash hazard lights (CVC 25257.5). Generally, you can pass a school bus in Michigan if it is in motion or its red lights are not flashing. 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. 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. Fairfax County Public Schools runs more than 1,600 buses daily. Have the students board the school bus slowly, in single file, and use the handrail. The Michigan school bus traffic laws prohibit drivers from passing a school bus that is stopped and has its red lights flashing. The area has a very young population and the highest birthrate in B.C. The bus is on fire or there is a threat of a fire. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. You should slow down to lessen the effect of the wind, or pull off the roadway and wait. The term overtaking means when cars are moving in the same direction. It does not matter how many lanes the road has. 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. Check all mirrors. When a school bus has its red flashing lights on and its stop arms extended, students are either getting off . Each. If a police officer is at the crossing, obey directions. See Figure 10.7. 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. Observe the right-of-way rules. The fine for passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is $402 . Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus. Police Officer at the Crossing. comments on Quick Answer: What Do Flashing Red Lights On A School Bus Indicate? When these amber lights flash you should immediately be prepared to stop. If you would like more information on school bus safety and awareness, you can refer to the following: Enroll in the Donate Life Registry to become an organ donor. This means that you cannot easily see around you in front, behind, or beside the school bus. The right and left front tires touching the ground. Establish a positive relationship with your students. Sadly, not everyone does stop when the school bus lights are flashing and kids could be on the road. Be especially careful at passive crossings. Remain stopped until the gates go up and the lights have stopped flashing. The crossview mirrors? The DMV is unable to guarantee the accuracy of any translation provided by Google Translate and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information or changes in the formatting of the pages resulting from the use of the translation application tool. Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop. Remember, if your ABS malfunctions, you still have regular brakes. If you must back up at a student pick up point, be sure to pick up students before backing and watch for late comers at all times. Make sure no students are around or returning to the bus. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods. Check all mirrors again. If you cannot answer them all, reread Section 10. Post a lookout. If the bus is also equipped with amber or yellow lights, these lights are used to signal that the bus will be slowing down. Drivers who illegally pass a bus face up to a $1,000 fine and could have their license suspended for one year. Look for pedestrians, traffic, or other objects before, during, and after coming to a stop. Sometimes, it may be safer to remain on the bus and not come in contact with the material. Below are examples of school bus laws according to Drive-Safety in different heavily populated states where some minor differences might crop up. State Laws: Stopping for School Buses State Laws: Stopping for School Buses In-Service School Bus Driver: Online In-Service (15 Hours) View Online Courses Do you know the laws in your state? You are required to yield the right-of-way to the train. Watch for lane changes! How far from the nearest rail should you stop at a railroad-highway crossing? The penalty for failure to stop for a school bus goes from a minimum $100 to $200 and if a second offense is committed in 5 years, the person's license will be suspended for up to 1 year. When a school bus comes to a stop and activates its red flashing lights, drivers traveling in both directions are required to come to a complete stop at least 20 feet away from the school bus. Drive and brake as you always have. Observe the students as they step from the bus to see that they all move promptly away from the unloading area. Drivers who illegally pass a bus face up to a $1,000 fine and could have their license suspended for one year. The motorist, demonstrating disregard for the law and/or childrens safety, did not stop for the flashing red lights. Take the ignition key with you if you leave your seat. 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. - When a school bus turns on its flashing lights or the driver extends the stop signs on the sides of the bus, you muststop your vehicle at least 5 metres (16 feet) away from the bus. Activate the alternating red lights when traffic is a safe distance from the school bus and ensure the stop arm is extended. Direct and mirror view vision should overlap. However, this depends on the situation, which is why you need to familiarize yourself with the school bus laws in your state. The speed for both urban and rural schools zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted. The lookout should not give directions on how to back the bus. Yellow or amber lights before the bus stops, and red lights go on when it has stopped. 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. 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. 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. Check out this graphic that helps illustrate Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law. With school starting Thursday, Sept. 8 in the Kent School District, it's a good time to review the rules for drivers and stopping for school buses. Use strobe lights only when visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less due to atmospheric conditions including, but not limited to, fog, rain, snow, smoke, or dust (CVC 25257.7). Determine if evacuation is in the best interest of safety. What Are the Rules for Stopping for a School Bus in Florida? You must remain stopped until the school bus moves ahead or until the stop-sign arm and flashing lights are no longer shown. Copyright 2020 Murphy & Prachthauser, SC - All Rights Reserved - Milwaukee Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers |, Defective and Dangerous Product Attorneys. Dangle the radio microphone or telephone out of the drivers window and take your cell phone for later use, if operable. Stop for flashing red lights or a stop sign on a school bus regardless of which direction you're headed. Lead students upwind (into the wind) of the bus if fire is present. If necessary, pull the bus over to handle the problem. What Is The Difference Between Red Lights and Yellow Lights On School Buses? Hydraulic-braked trucks and buses with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, built on or after March 1, 1999. Be certain the bus has enough containment or storage area to completely clear the railroad tracks on the other side if there is a need to stop. 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. Learn the school bus laws in your state and always follow them, as well as the flashing lights that school bus drivers use to alert you. Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders, New Trailer and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Report of Sale, Vehicle & Occupational Licensing Industry News Memos, Vehicle Industry Services Resources & Links, Industry Business Center Case Status Request, Occupational Licensing Status Information System, Section 4: Transporting Passengers Safely, The History of the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Motor Vehicles Strategic Plan: 2021-2026, Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program, Department of Motor Vehicles Field Office Wait Times Reports, Department of Motor Vehicles Performance Reports, Privacy Policy Statement (Privacy/Security), install the Google Toolbar (opens in new window). The loading procedure is essentially the same wherever you load students, but there are slight differences. Watch for children - they can come from all directions, especially if they're running late. The Wisconsin Rules of the Road are designed to protect drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. When travelling in school zones, drivers must pay attention to the posted signs. You should closely observe all students exiting the bus to confirm that they are in a safe location prior to moving the bus. The school bus stop signal arm will be extended after the school bus has come to a complete stop.