You are unloading students along your route. The NY State Education Department, Department of Pupil Transportation, states that the youngest students are most at risk. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. Wisconsin Department of Transportation School bus laws School bus laws A vehicle that approaches a stopped school bus that is displaying flashing red warning lights, must stop not less than 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the operator extinguishes the flashing red warning lights. from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights whether or not you are traveling in the same direction as the bus. More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus each year than are killed as passengers inside of a school bus. 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. You should never back a school bus when students are outside of the bus. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions. 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. 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. This is to warn you that children might be crossing. The fine for passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is $402 . To attract attention, most school buses display flashing amber or red lights, or a lowered "STOP" arm when stopped. Never cross the street behind the school bus. This mirror is mounted directly above the windshield on the drivers side area of the bus. Active Crossings. You must stop at these crossings and follow proper procedures. Required fields are marked *. When these amber lights flash you should immediately be prepared to stop. Do not attempt to cross the tracks unless you can see far enough down the track to know for certain that no trains are approaching. As such, we wanted to help you understand the Wisconsin statutes pertaining to school buses and explain how the laws may affect you. Position yourself to supervise unloading. Secure the bus. By law, a driver must not overtake or pass a bus with flashing lights at more than 40km/h. Would removing students expose them to speeding traffic, severe weather, or a dangerous environment such as downed power lines? Prepare information for emergency responders. Approach cautiously at a slow rate of speed. Sometimes, it may be safer to remain on the bus and not come in contact with the material. When should you activate your alternating flashing amber warning lights? Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight. In Florida, drivers cannot pass a bus displaying the stop signal. What is a passive railroad-highway crossing? Change the way you normally brake. When possible, assign 2 older, responsible student assistants to each emergency exit. Find professional School Bus Flashing Lights videos and stock footage available for license in film, television, advertising and corporate uses. It is important for you to understand and obey these state laws and regulations. However, if it has stopped and its red lights are flashing, then you must stop and wait until it resumes motion and turns off its lights. Keystone State. Is there a hazardous spill involved? If the bus is in the direct path of a sighted tornado and evacuation is ordered, escort students to a nearby ditch or culvert if shelter in a building is not readily available, and direct them to lie face down, hands covering their head. A school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the highway. Take the ignition key with you if you leave your seat. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official. See our Cancellations, Closings and Delays page for more information. After unloading all children at the school or after your last stop, make sure to do a post-trip of your bus and check to make sure that no child has been left on the bus. Under what conditions must you evacuate the bus? Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches. If you cannot account for a student, secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus. Once it pulls away from a stop and its lights stop flashing, it's perfectly fine to pass. Is there a chance the bus could be hit by other vehicles? The yellow ABS malfunction lamp is on the bus instrument panel. Therefore, emergency evacuation procedures must be explained to all students. See Figure 10.6. Motorists attempted to pass the bus, claiming they did not have time to wait. (See Figure B) "When the school bus gets ready to stop, the lights come on and they're yellow. Buses should be treated differently than you would treat an average-sized vehicle. 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. Painted lines and pavement markings do not count. The lookout should not give directions on how to back the bus. Never put a student off the bus except at school or their designated school bus stop. The front of the school bus must remain behind this line while stopped at the crossing. Escort all students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any grades 1 through eighth, who need to cross the highway or private road where the school bus stopped. If you see flashing yellow lights, that means the school bus is about to stop. Use caution when using a public computer or device. Stop-arm cameras record drivers who unlawfully pass. . Do not pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing? School Bus Stop Sign & Red Lights - YouTube According to the law, drivers must stop when a school bus stops in front of them, and extents its stop sign with red flashing lights. A school bus will have alternating flashing lights and a mechanical stop-sign arm extended while passengers are entering or leaving the bus. School bus safety tips for drivers: Prepare to stop when a slowing bus has its overhead yellow lights flashing. When your other wheels lock up, you may skid or even spin the vehicle. Establish a positive relationship with your students. It is safe to proceed once the lights stop flashing. If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus: Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. When you approach a school bus with flashing red lights from either direction What should you do? You are in a very demanding situation when entering these areas. Have the students remain seated until told to exit. Always be aware of children and parents that may be waiting at a school bus stop or perhaps running to catch the bus before it departs. What does this mean for drivers and preventing auto accidents? If there is no radio or cell phone or they are inoperable, dispatch a passing motorist or area resident to call for help. Your email address will not be published. There are currently road test cancellations or DMV offices closed for in-person services. Students may drop an object near the bus during loading and unloading. However, a school bus does not have the slightest edge when involved in an accident with a train. Stand up and speak respectfully to the offender or offenders. Approaching the bus from the rear: When approaching from the rear, the rules are the same as for a two- or three- lane road. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods. The entire area in front of the bus from the front bumper at ground level to a point where direct vision is possible. When travelling in school zones, drivers must pay attention to the posted signs. Always use caution when approaching a stopped school bus. This is becoming a concern in School District No. Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop. This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. 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. Chapter 33 - Rules of the Road in General 3345 - Meeting or overtaking school bus. Second violation within 18 months - penalty of $275, Third violation (or more) within 18 months - penalty of $300. 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. 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. If you see or hear an emergency vehicle, you should be aware that although the emergency vehicle is required to come to a complete stop when it encounters a school bus loading or unloading students, it is legal for it to proceed with caution even if the bus's eight-way light system is still activated, as long as it doesn't risk the safety of the students. You are loading students along the route. A warning will be given by the school bus at least 100 feet (200 feet in rural areas) in advance of a stop. The six winners of the competition are also recognized at an event held during National School Bus Safety Week. Approximately 100 school bus drivers from across Pennsylvania participate in the competition each year. Even though there are safety guidelines for boarding the bus, driving near school buses comes with different rules than regular traffic. There may be a white stop line painted on the pavement before the railroad tracks. Have the students exit in orderly fashion. Michigan School Bus Laws - Look at the Lights. Details: WebThe Michigan school bus traffic laws prohibit drivers from passing a school bus that is stopped and has its red lights flashing. 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. Assign another student assistant to lead the students to a safe place after evacuation. You should walk through the bus and around the bus to look for the following: Any problems or special situations should be reported immediately to your supervisor or school authorities. This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. When the road crosses over more than one set of tracks, a sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks. (1) The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately . How do you promote a culture of safety in your home or place of work? When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. 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. 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. If you're going the opposite direction, though, passing a school bus with flashing yellow lights is okay. The minimum fine for failing to stop for a school bus is $250. If possible, the drivers should get identifying information regarding the vehicle and file the information with local authorities. 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. Air brake vehicle, (trucks, buses, trailers, and converter dollies) built on or after March 1, 1998. OWNER LIABILITY FOR FAILURE OF OPERATOR TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS DISPLAYING A RED VISUAL SIGNAL AND STOP-ARM (VTL 1174-A), Website accessibility practices and procedures. The motorist, demonstrating disregard for the law and/or childrens safety, did not stop for the flashing red lights. If possible, know the names of students at each stop. Children ages 4 to 8 (grades K-3) are most susceptible to a school bus fatality. You are required to yield the right-of-way to the train. Some school buses are equipped with roof-mounted, white strobe lights. They are used to see the front bumper danger zone area directly in front of the bus that is not visible by direct vision, and the danger zone area to the left and right side of the bus, including the service door and front wheel area.

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