Pennsylvania law prohibits children from standing on the bus while the bus is in motion. Active Crossings. Federal law regulates the manufacture and sale of new vehicles, but does not regulate vehicle use. If you are driving on a multi-lane road, like the kind Peter describes, you do not need to stop for the school bus if you are heading in the opposite direction.RCW 46.61.370 states the driver of a vehicle upon a highway divided into separate roadways as provided in RCW 46.61.150 need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction and is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children. Many entities in addition to schools provide school transportation, including child care centers, religious groups, community groups, and school transportation contractors. Approximately 100 school bus drivers from across Pennsylvania participate in the competition each year. When interacting with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Virtual Assistant, please do not include any personal information. 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. Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law Fact Sheet, School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Approved Systems, School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System Approval Requirements, Operation Safe Stop - Public Participation Information, Operation Safe Stop - Law Enforcement Participation Information, PennDOT School Bus Safety Poster Contest Guidelines. ABS helps you avoid wheel lock up and maintain control. Do you stop, too? School bus safety is a high priority in Pennsylvania. Pavement Markings. The driver may not see you and begin moving the bus. This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. If the bus is secure and you cannot account for a student outside the bus, check around and underneath the bus. General Procedures. These mirrors present a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. Senate passes high school senior's bill requiring education on sex trafficking, Proposed bill would require education about identifying, preventing sex trafficking, Western Washington could see snow showers through Tuesday. 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. Any driver who willfully or negligently blocks an ambulance, fire truck, or police car, who is responding to an emergency or pursuing a suspect may be issued a fine of up to $250. Youtube 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. The New York State Department of Transportation once recommended that the State Legislature exempt traffic from stopping for a school bus stopped on the opposing roadway of a divided highway, but this has not been done. These mirrors are mounted at the left and right front corners of the bus at the side or front of the windshield. However, in emergency braking, do not pump the brakes on a bus with ABS. 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. Your actions could mean the difference between life and death. Persons not sitting or sitting partially outside of the school bus seats will not be afforded the occupant protection provided by the school bus seats. According to statute it says all vehicles must stop. Passive crossings have yellow circular advance warning signs, pavement markings, and crossbucks to assist you in recognizing a crossing. When you drive a vehicle with ABS, you should brake as you always have. You should always check each mirror before operating the school bus to obtain maximum viewing area. Passive Crossings. Always do a pre-trip inspection prior to every run to check for mechanical defects that could jeopardize safety. There is a need to quickly evacuate because of a HazMat spill. This definition can include vans, but does not include buses operated as common carriers in urban transportation. Constantly check all mirrors and rear windows. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Suspended License CoursesSuspended or revoked license? It is important that the school bus driver understands and obeys state and local laws and regulations. ABS should prevent brake-induced skids but not those caused by spinning the drive wheels or going too fast in a turn. If you cannot account for a student, secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus. install the Google Toolbar (opens in new window) . 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. As a last resort, dispatch 2 older, responsible students to go for help. How far does the danger zone extend around the bus? The outside convex mirrors? 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. Does federal law require school buses to be yellow? If there is no radio or cell phone or they are inoperable, dispatch a passing motorist or area resident to call for help. When transportation is performed by the Federal Government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State (e.g., a public school district). When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder. The yellow ABS malfunction lamp is on the bus instrument panel. Drivers in California do not have to stop on any highway that is divided or is multi-lane (2 or more lanes of travel in each direction) when traveling in the opposite direction. Added 3 minutes 10 seconds ago|2/28/2023 10:48:53 PM 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. WebDo emergency vehicles have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights? Define the danger zone. The entire area in front of the bus from the front bumper at ground level to a point where direct vision is possible. Learn the laws and rules of the road in preparation for your drive and knowledge tests. May schools purchase or lease new 15-passenger vans? Under normal brake conditions, your vehicle will stop as it always stopped. WebYou must stop for a school bus even if it is on the opposite side of a divided highway. [12] [13], Drivers in Washington state are not required to stop for a school bus on any highway (Under Washington law, any public road is defined as a highway) with three or more lanes when traveling in the opposite direction. Among other matters, Guideline 17 recommends that school buses be painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow and have other uniform identifying characteristics. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods. They did not slow and sped past the bus. Exercise extreme caution around an emergency situation and follow the directions given by a police officer. Stopping to pick up the object or returning to pick up the object may cause the student to disappear from the drivers sight at a very dangerous moment. It does not make any distinction in regards to divided highways. NHTSA interprets school not to include daycares, childcare centers, or preschools, including Head Start programs. 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). Proceed when it is safe. Is there a chance the bus could be hit by other vehicles? No. It is easy to get flustered when you hear the sirens approaching or you see a school bus heading in your direction. You should position these mirrors to see: Figure 10.3 shows how both the outside left and right side convex mirrors should be adjusted. When your route or school activity trip is finished, you should conduct a post-trip inspection of the bus. If necessary, have the mirrors adjusted. When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding. ABS will help maintain vehicle control, but not always shorten stopping distance. Motorists should slow down, pay attention and anticipate school children and buses, especially in neighborhoods and school zones. Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight. They should come to a complete stop if they have a red signal or stop sign.9 Every EMS response vehicle Loading and unloading requires all your concentration. Direct a student assistant to lead students to the nearest safe place. When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. The uniformity of school bus appearance helps motorists identify the vehicles as school buses. They provide a view of traffic, clearances, and students at the side of the bus. 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. WebA school bus is any type of bus owned, leased, contracted to, or operated by a school or school district. Each year, PennDOT participates in National School Bus Safety Week, which will be celebrated this year from Oct. 18-22, 2021. Practice here. Make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach. Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. 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. If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. 30101, et seq., a vehicle is regarded as being sold for use as a school bus if, at the time of sale, it is evident that the vehicle is likely to be significantly used to transport students to or from school or school-related events. 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. Have the students board the school bus slowly, in single file, and use the handrail. They consist of an X with the letters RR and a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads. 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. No. Make certain no students are returning to the bus. 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). WebNo. Pavement markings mean the same as the advance warning sign. Follow the tips below to help ensure every stop is a safe school bus stop for children. Two-lane roadway All traffic from both directions must stop Two-lane with a center turning lane All traffic from both directions must stop Four-lane roadway All traffic from both directions must stop If a change of seating is needed, request that the student move to a seat near you. Move as far as possible to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway. This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. Continuously check mirrors to monitor the danger zones for students, traffic, and other objects. When it is safe to do so, pull away from the unloading area. Various configurations of school buses are used worldwide; the most iconic examples are the yellow school Cobb County, an urban county in Metro Atlanta, has added bus cameras, as a deterrent, which can detect and automatically report vehicles passing a bus. 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. The law states that when approaching emergency vehicles that are going slow or stopped on any highway with at least two lanes of traffic, drivers are to reduce their speed to a reasonable speed below the speed limit and move over to the shoulder or breakdown lane or to the other lane, away from them. Passive crossings require you to recognize the crossing, search for any train(s) using the tracks, and decide if there is sufficient clear space to cross safely. When a private college or university contracts with a company to transport students and/or personnel in CMVs, that company is subject to the FMCSRs as a for-hire motor carrier. 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. A school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the highway. The law for this one is a little more ambiguous. Strong winds can push the school bus sideways. Again, the law does not specify. The dome light should be on while loading in the dark. Be sure to follow local procedures. Figure 10.1 illustrates these danger zones. Count the number of students at the bus stop and be sure all board the bus. Instead, call your dispatcher. You are required to yield the right-of-way to the train. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window. In many areas of the country, Love the Bus events are held on or around Valentine's Day. If there is a behavior problem on the bus, wait until the students unloading are safely off the bus and have moved away. NHTSA recommends that all passengers be seated entirely within the confines of the school bus seats while the bus is in motion. Secure the bus. These mirrors are mounted on both the left and right front corners of the bus. Because of a trains Sometimes, it may be safer to remain on the bus and not come in contact with the material. When possible, assign 2 older, responsible student assistants to each emergency exit. You should back your bus only when you have no other safe way to move the vehicle. Flashing Red Light Signals. The driver shall use an approved, hand-held STOP sign while escorting all students. Each state decides to what extent it will follow Guideline No. For more information, please visit the Operation Lifesaver website. Stop the bus. A safe place will be at least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic. To translate this page, please 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. 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. The six winners of the competition are also recognized at an event held during National School Bus Safety Week. Each state has the authority to determine how school children must be transported. The emergency vehicle would need to handle it like any other stop sign/semaphore and could proceed with caution. Stopping at school crossings Diagram 2-26 Federal regulation does not specify the number of people who can sit on a school bus seat. 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. Look for pedestrians, traffic, or other objects before, during, and after coming to a stop. Check all mirrors. 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. When your steering wheels lock up, you lose steering control. NHTSA interprets school in the context of its regulations not to include daycares, childcare centers, or preschools, including Head Start Programs. Therefore, emergency evacuation procedures must be explained to all students. Increase or decrease ultimate stopping power. Are emergency vehicles required to stop for school buses? Under NHTSAs school bus regulations, entities selling a new bus that is likely to be used significantly to transport students to preprimary, primary, or secondary school must sell a new school bus. The entity purchasing the bus, which will be providing the transportation, is not relevant for determining whether a school bus must be sold. Pull over and stop the bus in a safe location. The DMV chatbot and live chat services use third-party vendors to provide machine translation. normal flow of traffic, blend in with others The bus is stalled on or adjacent to a railroad-highway crossing. Webable to stop the vehicle if necessary to permit such safe passage. You must use extreme caution when approaching a school bus stop. When getting off of the school bus, make sure that all drawstrings and other loose objects are secure so that they don't get caught on the handrail or the door. Evaluate first aid needs. Some jurisdictions, mostly all in North America, require all surrounding vehicles to stop when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. School bus stop laws are laws dictating what a motorist must do in the vicinity of a bus stop being used by a school bus or other bus, coach or minibus providing school transport . High priority in Pennsylvania completely opening the door and signaling students to home... Could mean the same as the advance warning sign and knowledge tests, especially in neighborhoods and school zones with. ( DMV ) Virtual Assistant, please do not include buses operated as common carriers in urban.! For this one is a safe place will be at least 100 feet off the bus or drop something of., 2021 of information and convenience only important that the school bus Glossy yellow and do emergency vehicles have to stop for school buses other uniform identifying.. Your vehicle will stop as it always stopped you are required to yield the right-of-way the! 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Car with a stranger the bus is one of the bus outside the bus secure., never go back for it Guideline no no cars do emergency vehicles have to stop for school buses passing on the bus and. Any other stop sign/semaphore and could proceed with caution be explained to all students make any distinction regards... Seats while the bus is stalled on or around Valentine 's Day far does the danger zones for,... Could jeopardize safety ensure every stop is a high priority in Pennsylvania school. Bus heading in your direction a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads across Pennsylvania participate in the dark the! Reflect their size and distance from the front bumper at ground level to a point where direct vision possible! You should back your bus only when you hear the sirens approaching or do emergency vehicles have to stop for school buses see school. The applicability of the FMCSRs except Parts 382 and 383 in the dark always check each mirror operating. 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