Retrieve emergency equipment. WebSchool bus drivers do everything they can to keep children safe, but motorists are also responsible for driving safely around school buses. How far does the danger zone extend around the bus? 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. For example, a dealer selling a new 15-passenger van to be used for school transportation must ensure that the van is certified as meeting our school bus FMVSSs. NHTSA's statute at 49 U.S.C. Sometimes, it may be safer to remain on the bus and not come in contact with the material. The bus is on fire or there is a threat of a fire. Those vehicles are required to meet all FMVSSs for school buses. What is a passive railroad-highway crossing? The determining factor is whether the bus will likely be used significantly for pupil transportation to or from school or related events. Drive so you never need to use your ABS. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act) requires any person selling or leasing a new school bus to sell or lease a bus that meets all FMVSSs applicable to school buses. When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. See Figure 10.5. You should position these mirrors to see: Figure 10.3 shows how both the outside left and right side convex mirrors should be adjusted. Move as far as possible to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway. Always remain alert for children around buses and remember that they may not always look for vehicles before crossing the street. As a last resort, dispatch 2 older, responsible students to go for help. The DMV can assess four points to any license for violation of this law. If laws are broken, the bus driver may be charged with including but not limited to: child endangerment and disobeying laws. If a new school bus will be used to transport students between school and home, or between school and school bus stops, an MFSAB must not be sold. Check out this graphic that helps illustrate Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law. As a result, knowing what to do before, during, and after loading or unloading students is critical. Is there a chance the bus could be hit by other vehicles? When the lights begin to flash, you must stop! Join waiting students. Lead students upwind (into the wind) of the bus if fire is present. WebOn a divided roadway, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop. If a new school bus will not be used to transport students to and from home or school bus stops, an MFSAB may be sold. Does NHTSA consider a daycare, childcare center, or preschool a school for the purposes of its school bus regulations? A first-, second- and third-place winner is chosen in each category. The content currently in English is the official and accurate source for the program information and services DMV provides. Drivers must be alert and aware of all other vehicles that they are sharing the road with, especially vehicles that have the right of way. 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. You should never back a school bus when students are outside of the bus. This document is designed to clarify what Federal regulations are applicable to school bus transportation. While in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, drivers are directed to drive carefully past stopped school buses. 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. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is authorized to issue and enforce Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) applicable to new motor vehicles. A decision to evacuate should include consideration of the following conditions: Mandatory Evacuations. Drivers nearing a stopped emergency vehicle that has lights activated (unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer) must: Remain off the side of the road until the emergency vehicle has passed. Turn on the right turn signal indicator about 100300 feet or approximately 35 seconds before pulling over. The financial responsibility requirements do not apply to a motor vehicle operated by a motor carrier under contract to provide transportation of pre-primary, primary, and secondary students for extracurricular trips organized, sponsored, and paid for by a school district. Drivers must be stopped until the school bus flashing lights subside. The Number One rule is, when you hear or see an emergency vehicle of any type approaching from the rear, pull as far to the right as possible and stop! Ive always said regardless of what type of emergency vehicle, they must stop and wait for the school bus drive to shut down its eight-ways to indicating its safe Each year, PennDOT participates in National School Bus Safety Week, which will be celebrated this year from Oct. 18-22, 2021. 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. These mirrors present a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The yellow ABS malfunction lamp is on the bus instrument panel. Direct a student assistant to lead students to the nearest safe place. You should always check each mirror before operating the school bus to obtain maximum viewing area. How do NHTSAs school bus regulations apply to vehicle dealers? For more information on the contest, and to view previous winners, click here. In addition, organizations providing religious instruction, such as Sunday school, are not considered schools under NHTSAs school bus regulations. Protect the scene. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official. 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. Learn the laws and rules of the road in preparation for your drive and knowledge tests. Lead students upwind of the bus at least 300 feet if there is a risk from spilled HazMat. Have the students remain seated until told to exit. 200 feet or 4 bus lengths behind the bus. Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. It is regularly used to transport students to and from school or school-related activities, but not including a charter bus or transit bus. Ensure that all students who cross the highway or private road where the school bus stopped have crossed safely, and that all other students and pedestrians are at a safe distance from the school bus before setting the school bus in motion. Address:225 East Robinson Street, Suite 570Orlando, FL 32801, About Us | Contact Us | Defensive Driving | State Directory | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy. Be reliable and dependable your students count on you every day! WebNo. 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. Schools include all preprimary, primary and secondary schools, including private and parochial schools. [1] Police officers, school crossing guards, and even school bus drivers themselves may have the power to wave traffic on, even when a red light is flashing. For more information on School Bus Safety Week, visit National Association for Pupil Transportation. Is the bus in the path of a sighted tornado or rising waters? 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. But, sometimes you may be distracted or fail to comply with these laws. Flashing Red Light Signals. First Time DriverThese courses can help you get your learner's permit and is statistically proven to reduce the risk of crashes among first time drivers. Determine the Need to Evacuate the Bus. The Safety Act defines a school bus as a bus that is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, or secondary students to or from school or 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. You should back your bus only when you have no other safe way to move the vehicle. Constantly check all mirrors and rear windows. Figure 10.4 illustrates how the left and right side crossview mirrors should be adjusted. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window. Speak in a courteous manner with a firm voice. Observe the students as they step from the bus to see that they all move promptly away from the unloading area. Use only the braking force necessary to stop safely and stay in control. Again, the law does not specify. Loading and unloading requires all your concentration. I know what some of you are thinking: Does that mean when I am driving down Interstate 5 and I see an ambulance coming the opposite way that I need to pull over? Teach them how to assist the other students off the bus. It is important for you to understand and obey these state laws and regulations. The right and left front tires touching the ground. However, NHTSAs school bus regulations do not prohibit the use of 15-passenger vans for such transport, or the sale of used 15-passenger vans intended for such transport. This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. NHTSA does not regulate, under our school bus regulations, the types of vehicles that may be sold for the purpose of transporting children to and from these facilities. Emergency vehicles in the opposite direction. Or fail to comply with these laws source for the purposes of its school bus stopping law this law consideration! 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