If a police officer is at the crossing, obey directions. 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. Multi-Lane Roadways with NO Barrier between Lanes. Do not take your eyes off what is happening outside the bus. Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. Handrail Hang-Ups. Check all mirrors. School Bus Safety | Bus Stops, Drivers | NHTSA 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. . I'm the NYS DMV Virtual Agent, Click me for assistance. According to California Vehicle Code 22454, all vehicles traveling in either direction must stop when a school bus is flashing its red lights and remain stopped as long as the red lights remain lit and/or flashing . This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. Solid YellowA yellow traffic signal light means CAUTION. The red traffic signal light is about to appear. on roads that are divided to separate the directions of travel, in the direction that the bus is traveling. California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. You must use extreme caution when approaching a school bus stop. Flashing Red Light Signals. Stop your vehicle and wait until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver or police officer to proceed. The first and most important consideration is for you to recognize the hazard. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, transportation personnel and the motoring public all play important roles in keeping our children safe while on or around the school bus. School Bus Laws in Texas: Do You Know When To Stop or Pass? Those in opposing traffic lanes on the other side of the barrier dont have to stop, with a few exceptions. Each. For more information about Love the Bus, visit Love the Bus. Can You Pass A School Bus In Michigan? | Michigan Auto Law Brake the same way, regardless of whether you have ABS on the bus. State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. 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. The entire side of the bus up to the mirror mounts. This means that you cannot easily see around you in front, behind, or beside the school bus. 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. When should you activate your alternating flashing amber warning lights? Prevent power or turning skids. All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop. School Bus Safety - ct To translate this page, please When you see these lights flashing on the back of a bus? See Figure 10.6. When engaged, these light will flash simultaneously. Unlawfully driving around one will result in fines, court costs and possibly even jail. Never push when getting on or off of the school bus. Each school district establishes official routes and school bus stops. 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 possible, assign 2 older, responsible student assistants to each emergency exit. 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. Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight. Pennsylvania law prohibits children from standing on the bus while the bus is in motion. 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. Protect the scene. When a school bus is flashing its red overhead lights? ABS should prevent brake-induced skids but not those caused by spinning the drive wheels or going too fast in a turn. The following pages provided on the DMV website cannot be translated using Google Translate: Google Translate is not support in your browser. Even if there are active railroad signals that indicate the tracks are clear, you must look and listen to be sure it is safe to proceed. 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. Never cross the street behind the school bus. The NY State Education Department, Department of Pupil Transportation, states that the youngest students are most at risk. The statute requires: Following these two rules will allow for safer drivers, safer children and safer neighborhoods. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. The fine for passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is $402 . These mirrors, along with the convex and flat mirrors, should be viewed in a logical sequence to ensure that a child or object is not in any of the danger zones. In New York, you stop whenever a school bus is flashing red lights. 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. Assign another student assistant to lead the students to a safe place after evacuation. Yellow or amber lights before the bus stops, and red lights go on when it has stopped. Slow down and be prepared to stop if you see a school bus displaying this signal. According to the California law (CVC 22454), motorists must remain stopped as long as the red lights on the school bus are flashing. It's that time of year again. The danger zones may extend as much as 30 feet from the front bumper (with the first 12 feet being the most dangerous), 12 feet from the left and right sides, and 12 feet behind the rear bumper of the school bus. 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 . Students may drop an object near the bus during loading and unloading. Plan your route so it provides maximum sight distance at railroad-highway crossings. Each state has different laws concerning when it is legal/illegal to pass a stopped school bus. Graphic shows drivers the rules. School bus stopped at T-intersection is a tricky situation - WHEELS.ca 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. You must use the exterior side mirrors to monitor traffic that approaches and enters this area. comments on Quick Answer: What Do Flashing Red Lights On A School Bus Indicate? 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. However, vehicles moving in the opposite direction can pass if theres a raised barrier or an unpaved median five feet or larger. Required Stopping For School Bus - Iowa School Bus Safety On all roads. The term overtaking means when cars are moving in the same direction. An emergency situation can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Can You Legally Pass a School Bus With Yellow Blinking Lights? - 101.5 WPDH How far from the nearest rail should you stop at a railroad-highway crossing? This is to warn you that children might be crossing. Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus. Always follow the "Five Alive" Operation Lifesaver steps when approaching a railroad track. Compensate for bad brakes or poor brake maintenance. To attract attention, most school buses display flashing amber or red lights, or a lowered "STOP" arm when stopped. Stand up and speak respectfully to the offender or offenders. Chapter 33 - Rules of the Road in General 3345 - Meeting or overtaking school bus. A school bus driver shall not actuate the visual signals or the stop warning sign in designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway or at school buildings when children or persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities are loading or unloading Approaching the bus from the rear: When approaching from the rear, the rules are the same as for a two- or three- lane road. Lead students upwind of the bus at least 300 feet if there is a risk from spilled HazMat. The side of a school bus acts like a sail on a sailboat. What Are the Rules in California Regarding Stopping for a School Bus Direct and mirror view vision should overlap. So attempting to speed up and pass the bus is an absolute violation of the law. Loading and unloading requires all your concentration. 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). School Bus Stop Sign & Red Lights - YouTube 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. 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're on a road with three or more lanes, you need to stop if you're traveling in the same direction as the bus. If the school bus is on a street with a raised or center median, or with more . "Getting the crosswalk was the first step in that process and our goal since the accident is that this doesn't happen to someone . Would removing students expose them to speeding traffic, severe weather, or a dangerous environment such as downed power lines? *Five points will be added to theoperator's driving record for each conviction. Strong winds affect the handling of the school bus! ABS helps you avoid wheel lock up and maintain control. This includes knowing how to operate the various emergency exits and the importance of listening to and following all instructions given by you. When a school bus stops on a multi-lane roadway without a barrier and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, all motorists MUST . 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. The safe distance changes state-to-state. School bus rules when red lights are flashing | Kent schools start