When a school bus has its red flashing lights on and its stop arms extended, students are either getting off . In Florida, drivers cannot pass a bus displaying the stop signal. It is critical that you understand and follow all state and local laws and regulations regarding approaching a school bus stop. 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. Preparing for a standard, commercial, or motorcycle knowledge test? Practice here. 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. A train is approaching. Walk through the bus to ensure no students remain on the bus. And if you drive, there's no doubt you will encounter FCPS and private school buses. Stop the bus. If the gate stays down after the train passes, do not drive around the gate. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. 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. Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods. According to the California law (CVC 22454), motorists must remain stopped as long as the red lights on the school bus are flashing. Remember, children are often unpredictable and may not see you coming. Teach them how to assist the other students off the bus. Your visibility could be only slightly limited or be so bad that you can see nothing at all. The bus driver will flash lights on the front and rear of the bus. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. Each state has laws and regulations governing how school buses must operate at railroad-highway crossings. The theme for this year is "1 Bus + 1 Driver = a BIG Impact on Education." Brake the same way, regardless of whether you have ABS on the bus. You are required to yield the right-of-way to the train. There is a need to quickly evacuate because of a HazMat spill. If your school bus crosses railroad tracks, be calm and quiet so that your driver can listen for a train. Check all mirrors. 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. Look up the status of an active OL permit holder. How should you use your brakes if your vehicle is equipped with ABS. on roads that are divided to separate the directions of travel, in the direction that the bus is traveling. Is there a chance the bus could be hit by other vehicles? The loading procedure is essentially the same wherever you load students, but there are slight differences. The red lights should be a sign that children are in the area and vehicles should be stopped. Look for pedestrians, traffic, or other objects before, during, and after coming to a stop. 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). Diagram 5-4 Readers ask: When Is The Next Mta Bus Operator Exam? For more information on the contest, and to view previous winners, click here. 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. Constantly check all mirrors and rear windows. Crossbuck Signs. Red flashing lights indicate that the bus is stopped and students are getting on or off. To attract attention, most school buses display flashing amber or red lights, or a lowered "STOP" arm when stopped. The hazard lights are amber in colour and are located at the bottom of the bus. The right and left front tires touching the ground. It is important for drivers to know how to react to a school bus in operation. The purpose of the lookout is to warn you about obstacles, approaching persons, and other vehicles. 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. Figure 10.4 illustrates how the left and right side crossview mirrors should be adjusted. When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. When amber lights begin flashing on top of a school bus, they mean that the school bus is slowing down and preparing to stop. It is also an opportunity to honor the many school bus drivers that safely transport students to and from school every day. Prevent power or turning skids. 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. You are the first authority figure they encounter, and you set the tone for the day. 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. Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. You should back your bus only when you have no other safe way to move the vehicle. For the safety of students entering and exiting, all vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when its flashing red lights are activated or the stop sign emerges. 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. The bus driver waved the car through the red flashing lights, unaware a child was crossing the road at that time. This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. Remain stopped until the gates go up and the lights have stopped flashing. Even though there are safety guidelines for boarding the bus, driving near school buses comes with different rules than regular traffic. Passing on either side of the school bus can lead to a fine anywhere from $500 to $1250 or more in Texas. The driver must ensure that these mirrors are properly adjusted. Motorists claimed they couldnt see the flashing lights because the lights were dirty or because sun, rain, snow, or fog blinded them. A CLP holder with a P and/or an S endorsement is prohibited from operating a CMV with passengers, other than federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the accompanying CDL holder (CFR, Title 49 383.25). Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window. Each year, PennDOT participates in National School Bus Safety Week, which will be celebrated this year from Oct. 18-22, 2021. You should be thoroughly familiar with California and your local school district laws and regulations. Be reliable and dependable your students count on you every day! 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. Hydraulic-braked trucks and buses with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, built on or after March 1, 1999. RELATED SCHOOL CONTENT: Sacramento approves. Remember: The best vehicle safety feature is still a safe driver. If you see flashing yellow lights, that means the school bus is about to stop. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety. General Procedures. What does it mean if a school bus has flashing amber lights flashing? For instance, if youre driving on a highway with a significant barrier in the middle, only the vehicles following the bus should stop. California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. When the bus stops, red lights on the top of the bus will begin flashing, signaling drivers that children are entering or exiting the bus and may be crossing the street. On older systems, the lamp could stay on until you are driving over 5 mph. Drivers who illegally pass a bus face up to a $1,000 fine and could have their license suspended for one year. 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. Sadly, not everyone does stop when the school bus lights are flashing and kids could be on the road. 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. Be prepared to act appropriately in emergency and crash situations. In general, school buses must stop at all crossings, and drivers must ensure it is safe before proceeding across the tracks. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official. When students are loading at the school campus, you should: Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in Section 10. According to the Ontario government, drivers who ignore the red flashing lights or the school bus's stop arm, can face a hefty fine from $400 to $2,000 if it's their first offence. In California, the law states that: Drivers behind school buses must stop when school buses stop and display their flashing red lights (and extend their stop signs, if equipped). You must proceed with caution and watch for children by the side of the road. The specific procedures required in each state vary. When you drive a vehicle with ABS, you should brake as you always have. the best way to get on and off; and the six rules of safe riding - school bus flashing lights stock videos & royalty-free footage. Here are the rules: If you're on a two-lane road, both directions need to stop. If you're going the opposite direction, though, passing a school bus with flashing yellow lights is okay. If the bus is secure and you cannot account for a student outside the bus, check around and underneath the bus. Pavement markings mean the same as the advance warning sign. Even if the bus driver waves you ahead, you should still remain vigilant and keep to slower speeds. When unloading at the school, you should follow these procedures: Dropped or Forgotten Objects. Almost every driver has had this experience: You arrive at a four way stop at the same time another car arrives at the stop from a different direction, and a moment of confusion ensues for each driver as they ask themselves, who has the right of way at a four way stop? The correct answer is: Drivers should yield to. Check all mirrors. This sign marks the crossing. Whenever drivers are in the presence of school buses, they should be where they can stop at any time. See Figure 10.5. 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. 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? In many areas of the country, Love the Bus events are held on or around Valentine's Day. This type of crossing has a traffic control device installed at the crossing to regulate traffic at the crossing. When engaged, these light will flash simultaneously. Active Crossings. You need to check your mirrors before and during any turning movements to monitor the tail swing. When a school bus is stopped on a highway or private road for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils, at a location where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic control signal, the school bus driver shall do all of the following: The school bus driver should enforce any state or local regulations or recommendations concerning student actions outside the school bus. 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. Drivers must stay stopped until the red lights are off. The driver may not see you and begin moving the bus. Backing is dangerous and increases your risk of an accident. Protect the scene. What position should students be in, in front of the bus, before they cross the roadway? As you slow down, monitor your bus and back off the brakes (if it is safe to do so) to stay in control. Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Drivers must stop if the bus has its red light flashing as it picks up or drops off children, depending on the driver's direction of travel and the type of road . Change the way you normally brake. Lastly, New York is one of the few states where you must stop, even on the opposite side of a divided highway. Passive crossings have yellow circular advance warning signs, pavement markings, and crossbucks to assist you in recognizing a crossing. The following procedures are meant to be general guidelines. This mirror is used to monitor passenger activity inside the bus. Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches. For people convicted of the offense more than once, the law allows for the person's driver license to be . After that, you only proceed if the lights stop flashing, the bus resumes motion, or the driver signals you onward. School buses are equipped with yellow, amber or red flashing lights. When a moving school bus displays flashing yellow lights, this usually means they are preparing to stop to load or unload children. Drivers must stay stopped until the red lights are off. Remind the offender of the expected behavior. Drive so you never need to use your ABS. Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop. Move as far as possible to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway. This section will give you specific procedures to help you avoid unsafe conditions that could result in injuries and fatalities during and after loading and unloading students. Factors that likely contribute to these statistics: The smaller stature of younger children makes them more difficult for bus drivers and motorists to see. Kids are back in school, school zone lights are flashing, and the police are out in force enforcing the law in school zones. Watching for these yellow lights is especially helpful in areas with higher speed limits because it allows drivers to slow their speeds in time to stop for the bus when the lights turn red. Check out this graphic that helps illustrate Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law. 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. Drivers must stop at least 20 feet away and cannot resume driving until the bus lights are turned off or the bus begins moving. Remember, in addition to picking up and dropping off students, school buses are required by law to stop at railroad crossings. You should slow down to lessen the effect of the wind, or pull off the roadway and wait. The information in this section is intended to provide a broad overview, but is not a definitive set of actions. However, the decision to proceed rests entirely in your hands. See our Cancellations, Closings and Delays page for more information. Copyright 2020 Murphy & Prachthauser, SC - All Rights Reserved - Milwaukee Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers |, Defective and Dangerous Product Attorneys. Many railroad-highway crossings have gates with flashing red lights and bells. See Figure 10.7. Why School Bus Rules Of The Road Matter To You. As the weather gets warmer and the school year winds down, children are even more excited to get home from school and play outside with their friends. 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. 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. The convex mirrors are located below the outside flat mirrors. The entire side of the bus up to the mirror mounts. If possible, know the names of students at each stop. These mirrors present a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. The rules are pretty simple if you encounter a school bus with flashing red lights. Direct a student assistant to lead students to the nearest safe place. 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 . The minimum fine for failing to stop for a school bus is $250. Drivers must remain stopped until the school bus resumes moving down the road or turns off its red . California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. Chapter 33 - Rules of the Road in General 3345 - Meeting or overtaking school bus. See Figure 10.8. Strong winds can push the school bus sideways. 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. However, in emergency braking, do not pump the brakes on a bus with ABS. If you're approaching a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights, it is unlawful to pass it, even if the bus driver hasn't . The statute requires: Following these two rules will allow for safer drivers, safer children and safer neighborhoods. You must use the exterior side mirrors to monitor traffic that approaches and enters this area. Always obey your school bus driver's instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions. A school bus's yellow lights are a warning that the bus is about to stop so you need to slow down and be prepared to stop. comments on Quick Answer: What Do Flashing Red Lights On A School Bus Indicate? 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. Instead, call your dispatcher. Find professional School Bus Flashing Lights videos and stock footage available for license in film, television, advertising and corporate uses. When you brake hard on slippery surfaces in a vehicle without ABS, your wheels may lock up. When amber lights begin flashing on top of a school bus, they mean that the school bus is slowing down and preparing to stop. If so for fog rain and snow, as well as to let children and parents know its a school bus. Your email address will not be published. Drive and brake as you always have. Sec. The speed for both urban and rural schools zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted. If your child rides the school bus . Keystone State. Use caution when using a public computer or device. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. How far from the nearest rail should you stop at a railroad-highway crossing? Why is there a white flashing light on school buses? The entire area in front of the bus from the front bumper at ground level to a point where direct vision is possible. Generally, you can pass a school bus in Michigan if it is in motion or its red lights are not flashing. Determine the Need to Evacuate the Bus. When you approach a school bus with flashing red lights from either direction What should you do? If your bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks, get everyone out and off the tracks immediately. And at that time you're not supposed to pass them. For more information, please visit the Operation Lifesaver website. These questions may be on your test. Additionally, you must wait until the children are clear of the road and the sign is withdrawn for you to proceed. There is an imminent danger of an accident. So attempting to speed up and pass the bus is an absolute violation of the law. Other states with similar rules include West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi. If the bus is also equipped with amber or yellow lights, these lights are used to signal that the bus will be slowing down. Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. When you see these lights flashing on the back of a bus? It may provide limited visibility directly behind the bus if the bus is equipped with a glass-bottomed rear emergency door. Be especially careful at passive crossings. The yellow ABS malfunction lamp is on the bus instrument panel. A school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the highway. Lead students as far away from railroad tracks as possible and in the direction of any oncoming train. Pennsylvania law prohibits any items including students from barricading the aisles and the emergency exit. Slow down and be prepared to stop if you see a school bus displaying this signal. This will keep the students from being hit by debris if another vehicle collides with the bus. Any roadway, highway, private road or parking lot located on school property. However, you must recognize there may not be older, responsible students on the bus at the time of the emergency. Try to anticipate gusts. Stop-arm cameras record drivers who unlawfully pass. After unloading at school, why should you walk through the bus? The mirror presents a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. There are exceptions to these school bus laws. The driver must evacuate the bus when: Be Prepared and Plan Ahead. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. By law, a driver must not overtake or pass a bus with flashing lights at more than 40km/h. The new Eight Lamp Amber-Red Warning system uses two stages of flashing overhead signal-lights to signal that a school bus is slowing (amber lights) and stopping (red lights) to improve clarity to surrounding road users. You are in a very demanding situation when entering these areas. The visual signal, in this case, is a stop sign extended out of the bus, flashing red lights, or both. If necessary, have the mirrors adjusted. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(474680, 'f8317e36-6687-4e38-8a37-3c488cada114', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); 330 Kilbourn Building 330 East Kilbourn Avenue Suite 1200 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 271-1011 (888) 271-1022 (Kilbourn & Broadway), N14 W23833 Stone Ridge Dr.Suite 310Waukesha, WI 53188Phone: (262) 792-0888, Associated Bank Building 4811 South 76th Street Suite 403 Milwaukee, WI 53220 Phone: (414) 281-5700 (One block south of Layton Avenue), 10200 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 201 Mequon, WI 53092 Phone: (262) 240-1138 (Port Washington Road, quarter mile South of Donges Bay Rd, on East side of street street), 111 N. Main StreetSuite 101West Bend, WI 53095Phone: (262) 346-3340. Sometimes, it may be safer to remain on the bus and not come in contact with the material. Remove the key if leaving the drivers compartment. Do not allow children to exit the bus before all traffic has come to a complete stop and the safety equipment has been engaged. Wait until students are seated and facing forward before moving the bus. Turn on the right turn signal indicator about 100-300 feet or approximately 3-5 seconds before pulling over. In New York, you stop whenever a school bus is flashing red lights. The web pages currently in English on the DMV website are the official and accurate source for the program information and services the DMV provides. 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. Painted lines and pavement markings do not count. Stand up and speak respectfully to the offender or offenders. Lead students upwind (into the wind) of the bus if fire is present. A school bus will have alternating flashing lights and a mechanical stop-sign arm extended while passengers are entering or leaving the bus. The driver may not proceed until the flashing red lights are no longer activated. 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). This is becoming a concern in School District No. They provide a view of traffic, clearances, and students at the side of the bus. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. For instance, you might be required to stop your vehicle if a school bus is stopped on the side of the road. 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