School Bus Laws

...(2/01/10)
Connecticut just passed a law that anyone holding a CDL license to drive bus or truck will be fined $2,700 if caught texting/talking on their cell phone.
Passenger vehicle or not, hands free device or not- anyone holding a CDL could lose their job driving if caught.
Rumor has it, they are hoping to extend this to include non CDL/passenger vehicles as well.
In my opinion, I hope they do!

1. All DE buses must have crossing arms.
2 We must go through inspection twice a year. (August and February)
3. You must be 18 years old to drive.
4. It was interesting to read about CA crossing laws. In Delaware we use the abmer lights, 10 sec. or more before reaching the drop off; once stoped we activate red lights. If students need to cross the street we use the outside PA System. Under no circumstances are we to leave the bus unattended at all!!!!!!
5. Advertising is not allowed on buses except for the contractor's name and some school districts require the district's name on the side.
6. Effictive this year, contractors are not allowed to have the Polished Aluminum Wheels on new purchased school buses. Existing buses that have them may keep them on.
7. Contractors that are "Above the Canal" get paid thousands of dollars more than contractors that are "Below the Canal". There are fewer contractors "Above the Canal" but each contractor owns twenty or more buses. "Below the Canal" we have more contractors mostly husband and wife drivers. Some only have one or two buses. The average size contractor has about five buses. It is not fair we all do the same job in the same state. All of us "Below the Canal" feel that we should be on the same pay scale.
In my fleet I have thirteen school buses and still growing. I operate out of three school districts.
8. Some districts require driver inservice days others do not.

Maurice Moore

...(6/27/03)

What is the maximum number of students allowed on a Georgia school bus bus?
State law permits school buses to operate up to a 20% overload (79 students).

The state law here in Georgia is you're only allowed to go 55 mph on the interstates and 40 mph through any town. Most interstates have a posted speed of 65 to 75 mph.
Talk about dangerous.....a bus loaded with students on a major interstate with trucks "flying" by and you're only allowed to go 55! It's an accident waiting to happen.

Ms Terri Bus #122

The Georgia school bus law requires that a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus, which has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, must be brought to a complete stop.
The vehicle must remain stationary until the bus resumes motion or until signaled by the bus driver to proceed.
The law applies to all highways, streets, and roadways without exception.

...(1/31/01)

Kansas...(6/27/03)

As of July 1-20-03 Kansas speed limit for School buses is what is posted, if it is 65 mph then we drive 65 mph and so on.
We now have to have a "S" on our drivers License.(S) is for school bus.

Lela Fisher - school bus driver

Kentucky...(8/28/06)

Kentucky allows students to stand on the bus.

...(11/11/06)

As of Nov. 9th, 2006, it is now legal for a school bus to go 55 on state trunk lines and county roads unless the posted speed limit is less. It is also legal for a school bus to go 60 on a freeway when the posted speed is 70 unless the truck speed is posted at 55. Basically The Motor vehicle code reads that a school bus will not exceed 60 MPH if the Max speed on that freeway is 70 MPH. And that a school bus will not exceed 55 MPH.

Thanks David

...(03/04/09)

Laws and regulations governing school transportation in New Jersey

6A:27-7.2 Capacity (a) The number of students assigned to a seat shall not exceed the gross seating length in inches divided by 15. The maximum number of students who may be transported in each vehicle shall be determined by this seat measurement. Application of this formula shall not result in the use of a school vehicle with a seating capacity in excess of 54. 26 1. Vehicles manufactured as 58 passenger elementary school vehicles owned by a district board of education or contractor prior to December 18, 1989 may be utilized until retirement. (b) There shall be no standees. (c) This section shall not apply to a bus which is being used as a common carrier on a preset franchised route and schedule or is chartered for school-related activities.

...(9/08/06)

...(8/08/06)

(6/08/02)
A Few Penn. laws:

Department of Transportation

Before getting their certification, an they must have a valid driver's license, pass a physical examination, and obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL).

A first-time driver getting a CDL with an S and P endorsement is required to have 20 hours total of instruction from a certified instructor.
This 20 hours is broken down into 14 hours of in-class instruction and 6 hours of in-bus instruction.

To maintain certification, a bus driver must pass an annual physical exam and every four years must attend 7 hours of classroom training, 3 hours behind the wheel refresher training and take a written test and road school bus driver's test administered buy a certified examiner.

Drivers receive ongoing training throughout the year on the use of safety equipment, first aid techniques and student management.

In compliance with Federal Regulations, all drivers are now subject to Drug & Alcohol Testing. This includes pre-employment, random, post accident and reasonable suspicion.

Subject: Massachusetts Bus Rules...4/24/99

I enjoy this web page very much. I plan to contribute when I have more time.
I do not see anyone discussing Massachusetts. Mass. is very strict about busses and drivers. Our busses get inspected three times a year by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and an annual insection just like we have for or cars. 2 separate stickers visible on the windshield.

We can have nothing taped any where...not even the rules, which I post for the smart alecks who "didn't know" certain things were a NO/NO.

we can't have a broom or waste basket or a box of tissue on the bus. Tissue comes in very handy for bloody noses, lost teeth and other boo-boos the little one come up with. Of course if the bus is fllthy we can be cited for that too. Spotless windows and no trash on the floor.

School bus driver's have annual physicals and 8 hours training per year. In my town we have to take CPR.

Linda, Bus #?
Massachusetts

More Massachusetts...(11/26/00)

I have been driving now since may 1989, and still there is much to learn, cause things seem to change every year or so.
Here in Massachusetts where I live, it is law that:

We must pre-trip the bus before each route, charter, or fieldtrip.
We must drive with our headlights on at all times, with or without students.
We must have at least 8 hours a year safety training.
Standees are illegal at all times, whether the bus is in motion or not.
All buses are inspected every three months.(used to be every two months a few years ago.)
All vehicles must stop for flashing red lights on public roads and school grounds. (All Ma. buses now have a sign across the back of the bus stating: "It is unlawful to pass a bus with red lights flashing.") We need one on the front too, for oncoming traffic that see green when our yellows are turned on. It is the only bumper sticker allowed on a bus by the state.
It isn't law for cross arms but we have them. The bus company that just lost our contract installed them on their buses and the school department added cross arms as a requirement, along with, the child checkmate system, (replaces the "this bus is empty sign" we used to have to hang on the back door facing inside, to make sure no students are hiding or sleeping on the bus.) We must go to the back of the bus now to disengage the alarm and check for students.
As for brooms and trash baskets, we can have them on the bus if they are safely fasten to the bus. The trashbasket can be bungee corded to the seat or bolted down. The broom can be affixed to a clamp when not in use. If they are not fastened some how, when inspection time comes they are removed and put back in after inspection of the bus is done.
I have rules taped on my bus along with a monthly calendar I make. So far none has told me to take them down.
I would like to say something about crossing all students. When I was with Laidlaw, we started the "Thumbs Up" safe sign for crossing. It has worked great. We do however try not to cross any kids but there will always be someone who will have to.. The students are told through our safety programs starting in kindergarten, about "Thumbs Up". They are not to cross until the driver gives them the Thumbs up to cross. They do not cross if mom,dad, grandma, etc. tell them to. And when they get the sign they must stop half way and look both ways before continuing the rest of the way.
We would never leave the bus and let other students stay on the bus unattended, to cross others, even if we took the keys. Ca. should redraw their routes so that no child would have to cross the street rather than to continue the unsafe practice they do now. (is this with a narrow two lane or wide four lane roadways, or all roads?) That is how routes are done around here, where the roads are four lanes wide. The bus will be routed up one side and back down the other. "I'm not knocking it, I have not driven there, but it does sound very unsafe". If it is working ok, but I wouldn't want to cross students that way. I will pray that law stays out of Ma. We have enough to worry about than leaving kids on the bus alone. Like at intersections, traffic does not have to stop by law for the bus with reds flashing if they are crossing in front of the bus. (only those coming toward or from behind the bus.) I really have a problem with that, cause at some of my intersection stops students must cross into their path to get home. The kids do wait till cars pass, and even some cars do stop allowing the kids to cross safely.
Sorry this is so long. Frank your site is still the best place for drivers to communicate and share their stories and concerns with one another. We learn so much from each other.
Thanks for a great site.

Sharon, Bus#1, Western Mass.

Minnesota school bus rules

First of all excellent website it was great to see that there is something like this out there for school bus drivers.

I drive a '99 model year 78 passenger AmTran RE built on an 84 passenger chassis, which does give much more leg room than the standard 78 pass.
Kind of an interesting fact for anyone who has to drive an AmTran RE in a northern climate like here in Minnesota. We were told by the AmTran Corp. itself that the '96 model year of the AmTran RE (the first year the RE was manufactured by AmTran) was not intended to be driven in the snow, or extreme cold due to exposed wiring, and noninsulated air lines. I believe all of the RE's come with air operated doors, which naturally don't work when it is below 30ºF.

I work for Laidlaw where:
#1 The speed is not to ever exceed 55 m.p.h.
#2 Headlights must be on at all times
#3 Pre-trip must be performed any time the bus leave the bus lot as few as 1 as many as 7 times a day
#4 Crossing gates are required on all buses
#5 Heated mirrors on all buses '96 or newer
#6 Power mirrors on all buses '97 or newer
#7 You MUST stop at all railroad x-ing's unless marked exempt.
#8 All of our buses in Minnesota are equipped with the 8-light system. Yellows are to be activated 100-300 feet from the bus stop, and reds must always be used whenever the bus is loading and unloading children at a bus stop.

In Minnesota it is required that:
#1 All buses have a layer of plywood under flooring for insulation
#2 Emergency exits are to be outlined with reflective tape.
#3 Buses manufactured after march 1 '98 must be equiped with ABS.

If anyone else can add to this please do.

Brendan #182 Anoka, Minnesota

Subject: New York State Laws...(11/7/99)

Just wanted to add my two cents.

According to New York State Law: Unattended Vehicle (8 NYCRR 156.3 g8) "Drivers shall not leave school bus when children are inside except in case of emergency, and in such case before leaving the bus the driver shall stop the motor, remove the ignition key, set the auxiliary brake and leave the transmission in gear." Student Loading/Unloading Flashers (VT 375.20 a) "The driver of every (bus) shall keep such red signal lamps lighted whenever passengers are being recieved or discharged or whenever he/she hes stopped within fifty feet to the rear of a vehicle with such red signal lamps lighted, and shall light all other required signal lamps, as a warning, prior to stopping to recieve or discharge passengers." Just to add to the conversation.

Nila Repard, Bus #67
Canandaigua City School District, New York area

Subject: Ohio parking brake law....(8/8/99)

I just went through training in Ohio. They told us in Pre-Service that the parking brake is now to be set when picking up and discharging students.

Beth

Subject: Washington State rules...(5/10/99)

I found your web site from 'ask jeeves".
I'm a bus driver for federal way (Wa) school dist. since 1991.
We do not get out of the bus to cross students, we are required to stop at all R.R. crossings, and I wish we had power mirrors on our buses.
We clean our own buses inside and out. We still have quite a few manual "tranny" buses on our lot.
Journey rate of pay is $14.34 per hr.
I'm going to driver training school in july in Vancouver, Wa.

Bob & Cyndy Shepherd

Subject: Wyoming State Laws...(12/26/99)

I drive for the Laramie County School District 231 here in Cheyenne Wyoming.

In our state and District we have to activate our Amber lights about 100 ft from our bus stops and we have to activate our reds when we load and unload our students, not required in the school bus lanes. But the Busses are supposed to be the only vehicles in the lanes which doesn't always happen.. We have Parents, day cares, other district vehicles that do occupy our lanes at certain times.

In our district the drivers are not allowed to leave the driver's seats for any reason. The Transportation Assistants are the ones to get out and escort the kids across streets, and yes we have people run our reds all the time. To get them cited for it we have to give the license number and a description of the driver and vehicle to the Police.

Our buses are not required to have stop arms but most of our busses are equipped with them anyway and we do not have the gates.

The drivers are required to have CPR, First Aide classes and have an annual physicals.

The busses are inspected by the police dept., sheriffs dept. , highway patrol and the port of entry personnel, twice a year. Some of our busses are now equipped with air doors because of shoulder and elbow injuries.

Some of our spare busses are still the old standard "tranny" GMCs' that are gas guzzlers. Our fleet is now Diesel and we have about 92 busses in our fleet total.

If you want to know more about Wyoming Laws Email me and I'll find out what I can for you. <Cue2c@aol.com>

Terry, Cheyenne,Wyoming

Subject: Red Light Crossing...(10/8/00)

In response to Arthur Schulert about crossing children and turning off the ignition and then turning on your eight-way signaling system.
When I turn my ignition off my lighting systems also go off. My bus would be a "sitting duck" and it would be more dangerous for the kids inside the bus.
Besides we are told to wave the children across when everything is clear. It has worked successfully here in Illinois.
Pam, Bus#10

Subject: Crossing students...(7/28/00)

Frank, My name is Dwight Moore and I have been driving school buses for 30 years.

I started driving buses in California and I'm well aware of the state policy of drivers having to cross elementary students. I'm presently a state certified school bus training and I'm also supervisor at my district.

I agree with the drivers who say crossing students is the best method of getting them across the street.

Here in Oklahoma we do not cross our students.
The drivers do go through extensive training in regards to students who may need to cross the street from their bus. Also, on our buses, if you turn the engine off and take the key, the red loading and unloading light will stay on.

I try, as a bus driver to always monitor all traffic before any student puts one step into that street.
As a trainer I constantly remind and remind again, drivers of the potential hazard if a student is not safely told when to cross the street.

This is forum for drivers is great, keep it going.

Subject: School bus stop arm violations...(5/28/00)

Hi Frank,

First, great web page for all of us school bus drivers.

Second, after reading many of the letters concerning school bus stop arm violations, I thought I would let everyone know of a new product out on the market this summer. I do not work for or get any money or anything for this endorsement.
The company, Silent Witness, is marketing a stop arm cam that can be fitting in the drivers window that runs off the main system that monitors student behavior.
Whenever the 8 way flasher/stop arm system is activated, then the camera automatically switches from the inside facing camera to the drivers outside facing camera.
I was in the prototype testing of the system and it works very good at proving that the bus driver DID have the stop arm out, that the driver DID have the red lights flashing, and that the driver's car was a ..... .
So far, of over 100 violation on my bus, not one has beat it in court, or has even had the legalease to test it in court. They watch the video, plead guilty and that's it.

Scott Christenson

...(11/14/99)

Hello Frank, As of October 28th we no longer have to use our crossover lights on school premises. There are many exceptions to this new law, I will have more info later when I get it. If anyone else has more info please let me know. I am sure many people will be happy, now we won't hold up the traffic flow at the school...I never had a problem with it, hehe!!!

Dawn,Bus #29
Danville,California

Subject: Crossing children...9/12/99)

Frank,
I drive bus in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
I am commenting on your bus drivers getting out of their buses to cross children. It is good to take the keys with you and I understand the reasoning. But we have a company policy (not state law) that whenever you leave your bus you must empty your air brakes. Taking the key is not enough!
If a child would jump into the driver seat he/she does not need a key to release the parking brake! As a result you could have a runaway bus.
This practice is very important for California drivers to reconsider.
A monitor would be best solution!

Janet Eiler
Oshkosh Safe-T-Way

Subject: New Driver...(8/17/99)

Frank i like your web page. As a new driver in Ca. I cant understand why other school districts dont escort students across the street.
As a parent of six kids who ride the bus. Who else will escort MY kids across if i cant make it to the stop one day. I put my trust in the school district and the bus driver to get my precious cargo from home to school and school to home.
If a bus driver just stays in his or her bus and LOOKS at the kids cross the street their full vision is not on the cars coming the other way.
NOW you tell me which one is safe. A LAZY BUS DRIVER OR MY CHILDREN GETTING RAN OVER BY A CAR IN THE BLIND SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUS. I'LL TAKE A ESCORT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK EVEN ON SUNDAY.

Earnie Campbell Jr.

Subject: Red Lights Crossing(4/1/00)
Hello Frank,

I'm writing to comment on your response to Earnie Cambell,a California
driver, who stated what our laws were in California. I'm appauled to here you
state that California should change their ways because of them being
inconsistant with the rest of the nation. If you look at the most recent
statistics throughout the United States on children dying during a red light
crossing, you will see that all the fatalities have been in the east coast.
Are you saying that California should conform to a way that puts children in
a unsafe situation? Apparently the procedures being practiced in other states
are not working. I honestly believe,and it has been proven by our statistics,
that our system of crossing children is safer for our children. I heard many
stories that blame these fatalities on weather conditions and so on and so
on. These are just excuses to cover up what is lacking in safety. Have other
states other than California taken any steps to fix this problem? Instead of
focusing on what Californians do, I think other states should see what's not
working and fix it.

I think this is a great website that allow all bus drivers around the country
voice their opinion. Thanks for you time.

John Garcia
State Certified Instructor
Los Angeles Unified School District

Frank
After I wrote my letter I read yours.
First it is a Ca. Law not policy . I really don't see what is funny?
The problem is they need to find the safest way and make it universal thruout the united states, as all it does is confuse the public, and believe me we have a lot of out-of-staters that don't know what to do when they approach us.

gspritch

To gspritch;

You are driving a giant vehicle, painted bright yellow, with lots of flashing lights all over it that are intended to help children cross roads safely. California says turn off all your electronic protection devices, pick up a small, manual stop sign, get off your bus and use it to stop traffic so your students can cross the road.

Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "funny" when discussing your law but just about all the other words I would have used to describe the above situation might get me into some really deep "do-do".

Maybe the confusion isn't with all those "out of staters that don't know what to do" when they come upon an abandoned school bus and then see someone waving a small sign at them.

If California truely is trying to find the "safest way and make it universal thruout the United States" they might take a look at what every other state in this country and I believe, in Canada also, is doing.
Changing California's law so that it conforms would be much easier than trying to change everyone else. Right?

Frank, Bus #150

From: "Arthur Schulert"

I really think you need to be here in California to understand the law. It really is an easy to understand, and safe law.
1.You stop the bus.
2.You shut the bus off.
3.You turn ON your flashing red lights.
(At this point your ambers go off, and your stop arm comes out.)
4.You get out of your bus with your keys.
5.You look to see that your flashing red lights are still ON!
6.Using a hand held stop sign you safely cross the students.
7.You get back in the bus and turn off the flashing red lights.
(At this point if any kid did anything bad the others rat them out.)

I would be happy to take anyone out on a route, and let them see one done.
It's far safer the letting the students just run across the road by themselves.
I have no idea what you mean by turn off all the electronic protection devices, and cross the students with a dinky hand held stop sign.
Please take time to look at the number of loading zone deaths in California vs other states. That is what it boils down to isn't it kids lives, and not our personal convenience.

Arthur;

You need to be congratulated.

In over two years of discussion on my web site about the Ca. law allowing drivers to get out of their buses to walk students across the road, none of the Ca. people that wrote in to defend the law ever gave us a good explaination of how they could get out of the bus, with the keys in their pocket, and say they were being safe.

Now that you have given everyone a detailed explaination, we now know your buses have a special switch that allows you to remove the keys and still have the ability to operate the yellow and red lights.

Most buses around the country don't have such a switch and until you explained it, we didn't understand.

This knowledge should cut down the discussions a little.

Thanks a lot Arthur.

Frank, Bus #150

............Are you going to post this information on you page? I didn't know that in other states all the lights go off when you turn the key off.
That seems unsafe to me. :)

Arthur

Subject:Rhode Island Crossing Rules!...(8/12/99)

The bus driver should not get off of their bus for any reason while there are children on the bus!!
This is proposterous!! I just cannot believe that you don't have bus monitors to cross these children!!
It is a state law that the bus driver is to remain on the bus AT ALL TIMES when there are children aboard!!
If there is an emergency, then the driver makes sure everyone is safely off of the bus and THEN the driver leaves!!
Since Bus Monitors have been assigned to our buses, We have had no bus related injuries!! (Emphasis mine... Frank) The monitor gets off with the kids, walks to the front of the bus with her stop sign, WAITS TILL I TELL HER TO CROSS THE KIDS on my P.A. system, crosses them safely, then (before getting back on the bus) she checks under the bus in the back, middle, and front of the bus near every wheel!! Only then does she get back on the bus!! I, being a driver and a parent, DEMAND MONITORS!!
Every bus in our state that has children in grades K-5 has a bus monitor!! The older chidren are crossed using our P.A. system!!
Our monitors are not on the bus for the high school students, they get on before our elementary school stops in the morning, and with the jr. high school in the afternoon.
Do you people have P.A. systems on your busses? Getting off of the bus 1000 times a day is stupid!! You were hired as a driver not a crossing guard!! DEMAND MONITORS!!!..........FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN!!!!!!

Marilyn Cook

Marilyn I am really impressed with the method Rhode Island uses to cross students, bus monitors and the use of the outside P.A., but what impresses me the most is your record of NO BUS RELATED INJURIES, while using this method.
I wonder if we might be able to get this method put into use in all the states? I'll bet our friends in Canada will be interested also.

Frank, Bus #150

Subject:Escorting Students Across the Street...(8/6/99)

I am new to this site and have been reading the various comments especailly about California's laws regarding crossing students across the street. I think of the kids on my bus as my own and I would want someone to take the time to safely walk them across the street. Sure it takes just an extra few minutes to walk a student across the street but that few extra minutes may mean life or death.
I admit in California we have strict rules and some may not make any sense to most people but they are there for a reason.
There are not many times I have to walk a student across the street because I drive for a paraochial school and we take our kids and drop them off at their homes. I drive the extra block so as not to have to walk them across because it is a lot safer for the student and myself to unload and load on the right side of the bus. I feel I have an advantage over the public school system because we pick our kids up at their homes and not at a designated bus stop.
We have a lot of crazy drivers out there that have no regards for the red lights on a school bus and have had numerous car pass by without even slowing down.
I love being a bus driver and would go through all of the training all over again.

Dale
Terra Bella, California
Bus #2

Organization: Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Transportation Services

Subject: Another California Question...(7/22/99)

I have been reading in your great web site for months about California's practice of getting off the bus to cross the students k-8. A driver stated that they turn off the bus and remove the keys. If the keys are removed than how do they activate the red traffic lights, stop arm and crossing control arm? How do they secure the bus so that a student can't hit the parking brake?
I have been reading that the drivers there think it is a safe practice. What about the above mentioned items that are major safty issues. When we cross our children in Fairfax County, VA we make sure that all traffic is stopped and that students cross in front of the bus in an orderly manner. Safety patrols are posted in front of the bus (k-6th)on the left side in front of the head light with a red flag held toward the roadway. We first control the students getting off that don't cross and than cross the students (upon the drivers signal) in front of the bus when thay are all assembled and ready to cross together. Also 8-12th grade students are required to watch for the bus drivers signal and cross when the driver gives the all clear in front of the bus. Of course all the students are instructed to always be on the lookout for cars when they cross at all times.

19 year driver and driver trainer,
Cathy

Subject: Crossing Lights - Stop Arms...(7/10/99)

Hello Everyone!

The law in CA was not decided by School Districts, but by legislatures and do-gooders. Even so, I have to say that CA School Bus Drivers have the lowest fatality rate (although even 1 is too many), while escorting pre through 8th, because we do get out and stop traffic.
Once the law was put in place the fatality rate dropped dramatically.
As far as control of the children on the bus while we are outside, we train our drivers to keep an eye on everything, student management is a high priority. And the best part is; it works!
A proper Red Light Escort takes only a moment, and saves the lives of children. We could do "what if" situations all day...but the facts speak for themselves.
I am proud to be in "crazy" CA and proud to be a CA School Bus Driver.

Thanks for this wonderful page!

VIV - CA
Bus Hopper

...(7/10/99)

Dear Frank,
Upon reading the many letters pertaining to California drivers having to cross students themselves, it is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard!!!!.
We as drivers are under enough responsibility just to drive the bus, passenger managment, etc. etc.
Maybe their bus routes should be redone so that these students are dropped off on the right side of the road or arrangements should be made with the parents to receive the children themselves and cross them.
The driver should never leave that seat while transporting students unless there is an emergency.
Thank you Frank for letting me share my opinion.

Lori Foley
#20 Ryder Student Transp
Bristol, Connecticut

Subject: CA. CROSSING STUDENTS...(7/4/99)

Neat page!!
In regard to the California law that requires drivers to escort their K-8th students across the street: I can't imagine that!!!
Do the school districts know the liability they have,(not to mention the driver), if something should happen to one of the students on the bus while the driver is crossing students and OFF the bus?????
Not to mention any medical emergency that may arise while the driver is OFF THE BUS!!
Glad I drive in Ohio!!!!
Thanks for listening!!

Gail - Ohio

subject Calif. Crossing law...(12/19/99)

Comment-I truely understand the need for extra caution with the traffic in your state,Calif.. I've been there. But I have to say it has some serious draw backs for those of us in "winter" states. Ice for one. What happens when the driver steps off the bus and slips and gets hurt? Who drives? Who takes care of the other kids or calls for help? After 20 years as a driver, I firmly believe, a well trained, and alert driver, and well trained and disciplined students are the true methods to safe transportation, and crossing. I for one am NOT getting out of my bus to cross students with a wind chill of -20 and 2 inches of ice under my feet. (Our boss thinks we can drive in anything, and we often do.) By the way, in our area (not sure if it's state wide), running my reds can cost the driver $500 and earn them 3 points on their license. All I need is a license number and car description.

Thanks for an interesting forum,Frank

Lyn, Bus #41
Caledonia,Michigan

Subject: California law...(12/18/99)

I was a driver / dispatcher / manager in California for ten years. I have also driven school buses in Missouri. I currently reside in Colorado where my wife is now driving.
In all the posts I read I did not see one that contrasted conditions. In California we have nearly 10% of the population of the entire country. That means far more cars on the road and shorter tempers. Many drivers don't want to be bothered stopping. The laws that apply to a driver in the Los Angeles area would obviously not be relevant in many more sparsely populated communities. To put a monitor on each bus would be cost prohibitive - there are more school buses than many states have cars. To stop the vehicles physically makes sense to me because I have seen too many close calls. I cringed in Missouri when students crossed the street without any protection and cars ignored the lights. Yes - in California the lights must operate without the key on. The driver escorts the students only if they cross the street. However, there are many instances they are not allowed to cross. They cannot cross a divided or 4 lane street except at a controlled intersection. Most routes are routed so as few crossing stops as possible are made. Many routes have no crossings at all, or only a few. The driver that doesn't see why a driver should have to get out "a thousand times a day" has far more students that buses in California carry.

I have noticed that laws are enforced differently, also. In Missouri I was told to put 72 students on a 66 pas. bus. In California I would not think of doing such a thing - at the risk of my certificate - which is more difficult to get than in any other state in the union. Different states have different laws. I don't know the reasons the original laws were put in place, and I am hesitant to criticize someone else's laws just because they are different than what I am used to.

Larry

I became really concearned when reading some of the others drivers comments. I am a driver from California, where a lot of the laws are different.

1) A school bus only has to stop at RR crossing if the bus is loaded. Also we have to activate our four ways.
I personally think a school bus should stop at RR crossings even when empty just for habit!!!
2) When we escort sudents across the street we have a procedure we have to follow.
a) We put the bus in park, set the parking brake, turn off the engine, and take the keys.
b) Then we clear traffic and turn on our red lights. Take the students off the bus.
c) Then the driver walks out to the middle of the street to clear traffic and make sure it is safe for the students to cross and verbally tell them to do so...no hands!!!
Then when they are safe across the driver comes back to the bus and checks the right side to make sure no kids under the bus and then go in and turn off red light and proceed as normal...
It is a law here that when you leave the bus you have to take the keys with you, when you have kids on the bus.
A child could take the keys and hide them or try to drive the bus.
If a child gets a hold of the keys we loose our jobs..
Also when you take your drive test and you leave the keys in the bus during an escort it is an automatic failure!!!
Thank you for your time.....

Dawn , California

Subject: Comments "Crazy Rules in CA"(5/16/99)

This is in response to Michael Santus.
In California, we have strict rules alright. However Michael, we do believe that we need both the Amber Warning Lights and the Red Flashing Lights. And as for getting out of the bus and physically crossing students it amazes me that all states don't do that. We are required by law to physically escort all children pre-k through 8th grade (bus secured, engine off, keys in hand ). I guess coming from the state with the strictest laws and rules, I thought everyone had to.
What really amazes me is the amount of training an orginial driver has to go through compared to other states.

Jett
Driver Instructor
Chula Vista, CA

Subject: Finally a webpage for the bus drivers

Frank,
Great webpage!!!!!!! I give you 2 thumbs up on this one.
I have been driving for about 5 1/2 years and still find it an adventure every day. Its great to see kids grow right before your eyes, from Kindergarten to 8th grade and beyond. I am a bus driver here in Central, CA. I would like to comment on someone from out of state questioning the red light crossover that we do here in CA. Yes, it would be nice on those rainy days or very cold days to just sit in the bus and let the kids cross themselves, but here in CA we have the biggest traffic problems that most states only have in their bigger cities. CA is crowded with motorists that dont know to look for our kids when they are crossing the roads. I don't mind getting out and making sure my kids are safe acrossed the road......as for the ones on the bus. They know to stay where they are seated, for I have 4 helpers 1 in the back 1 in the middle and 2 up front. I also make sure that my kids that need to cross are already up by me, and as I walk out they watch from inside the bus and it takes all of 3mins to get them acrossed and I am back in the bus. Its all about managing your kids, they need to know you mean business. I dont play games with these kids, for its their life that is in my hands. If they act up they no longer ride my bus or they have to sit up front til the end of the school year. We do not have our busses running as some may think we do, we are by law to turn off the engine, parking brake applied so there is no movement. Its not as bad as some may think. Besides, its a chance for me to stretch the old legs out before going on my country runs. So for those that are coming to CA, dont be so afraid to get out of the bus, once you get to know your kids and they know what is expected then you won't have a problem.

Kelli Flores
Weaver School District
Merced, CA 95340

Subject:Stop Arm Laws

I am a driver for a suburb of Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. We (all of Ohio) are required to use our warning lights
ANYTIME a child is getting on or off the bus.
We are allowed to use the warning lights ONLY on streets, roads,etc.
Their use in parking lots (especially schools) is prohibited by law.
Some drivers in my district also use their hazards with the warning lights on busy roads, but that confuses the public even more!
The driver NEVER leaves the driver's seat. This is how drivers have been taught just a few years before I took training (15 years ago).
We are allowed to use hazards, however, at school buildings when we load or unload.

Gavin Berwald, Beachwood City Schools, OHIO

Subject: Crossings in Ohio...(5/9/03)
Hello Frank, You have a great site.
I really enjoy looking at the way things are done differently in different states.
I'm a driver in Ohio. When we are doing a student cross over. We have to hold up the hand the student is standing on, and the other hand we have to cover the horn with it. After you have checked the traffic you bring you hand straight down. We are no longer allowed to go side to side to motion a student across the road.
Also everytime you stop the bus its always parking brake, gear, door, then when you ready to go again its gear, door, parking brake. We have to taught to always start with the gear and end with the gear.

Nancy
Ohio

Subject: Bus Crossings(1/9/99)

Dear Frank. Love you website!

About red lights and crossing in Northwest Ohio.
Now we have to put on our parking brakes,then shift into neutural, then open door to activate the stop lights and stop sign when ever we have to cross children.
Also this applies when we have more than six children to pick up (group stops) on door side.
Also if we are on any incline. We are never, for any reason, to move from our seats!

Keep up the good work, it is nice to read about other drivers!

Nancy From Medina, Ohio

Subject: Red Light Escort

I don't know what some have been told in other states but here in California I was taught when we do a red light
escort and get out of our seats the bus is stopped, engine off, emergency brake on, KEYS PULLED (driver holds keys),all crossers approach the front first,driver looks back at traffic, pull crossing arm switch,open door, driver out first, students wait at curb until driver says" OK CROSS", when all have crossed it's back on the bus for the others to exit.
If the driver has control of the bus, a lot of the time there is no problems other than the usual "problem child".
All of this sounds time consuming but it takes only a few minutes once the rules are set.
I have been driving for 5 years going on 6 and have subbed 1 year for 4 different districts and yes there are those districts
that do not stand behind the driver if a citation is issued but we can refuse to transport a student "for the others safety".
Then when a parent has to take a child to school and pick them up all the time sometimes their attitude changes.
I know it is not all perfect but districts do not want to spend the extra $$$ on bus aides.

........Connie

Arthur Schulert

I am a bus driver in Pawcatuck, CT.
I thought that when the federal DOT came up with the idea of a CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
the whole point was to unify the regulations from state to state!
CA drivers have to leave the bus and escort elementary students across the street?!?!
Are you kidding!?How dangerous is that?
You leave a bus load of students, engine running, to walk a few across the street.
What if the brake slips?
What if one of the students inside the bus decides He would like to drive? I can't believe that one!
If we must get out of our seat for any reason we have to shut the bus down and take
the key out of the ignition! Even in a school yard. Even if the bus is shut
down but the driver is not yet in the seat the students must wait outside the
bus for the driver to get into the seat before they can get on the bus.
We are looking to relocate to CA and I thought I could drive out there, now
I'm not sure I want to!
Thanks for listening,...............

Michelle

I think that escort thing in Ca. is absurd.
So not only are the lives of the children in danger but the bus driver is too, so if the driver is hit by a car that means the rest of the children on the bus will not get home.

Brendan #182 Anoka, MN

subject: Stop Arm Runners....(10/24/99)

I was wondering if in the U.S. if there are a lot of cases of drivers running stop arms?
Here in Toronto, there is a huge problem with it and it is not legal for us to just report the license numbers to the police.
Can you do it there?
I was thinking of using my own home video to prove to the police it is a problem, because on my route it happens at least twice a day.

Kelly Bland, Bus # 91136
Ontario, Canada

Dear Frank,...(7/4/99)

Excellant web site!!!!
Just a little information to pass on regarding SOS violations.
In Connecticut DMV has set up a data bank. When a car violates our SOS lights, we try to get their license plate number, color, and make of car, date and where it took place. We enter this information on a form and turn it into our safety coordinator who forwards it to DMV. They in turn enter the information into their data bank.
It generates a warning letter stating there is a $450.00 fine for the violation. If that same license plate is entered again, they receive a ticket in the mail.
That is a real big blow to the ol pocket book!!! don't you think?
Thanks for allowing me to pass this info on to others.

Lori Foley, Bus #20
Ryder Student Transp.
Bristol, Connecticut

Subject: Stop Arm Runners...(6/15/99)

Durham Regional Board - Pickering/Ajax/Whitby/Oshawa, Ont.
If only we could catch those stop arm runners!
Sometimes , it is not easy to catch the license plate, colour of car, 2 - 4 door, sunroof, male or female. But there is a bonus if they stop beside you and yell back...."I didn't know I had to STOP".
I've got quick thinking kids on my bus and they are 95% accurate in getting the information. When I get back to dispatch, I write it up and the sheet gets faxed to our Durham Regional Police and they follow-up on it.
I also have a second bonus with this....I pass these peoples homes every day, I know where most of them live - extra info to the police!
I met this one gentleman 4 days in a row. The 1st day, he ran my arm, 2nd day he slowly came around the corner and crept towards my bus, 3rd day I waited patiently while my kids loaded - because today I wanted to get a FULL DESCRIPTION of this guy - I DID!
As I was getting ready to pull away from the curb, I saw him mouth the words F-off! All I could do was smile, because now I had the full description of him and his vehicle.
Well the 4th day this car was parked in a driveway....I recognized the house and asked one of my students if that car belong to her family. She said YES, It's my cousins car! SO SORRY, I passed the information to the police.
You know, the 1st time a child get run over or hurt by a car running our Stop arms, it could very well be the child or relative of the driver behind the wheel of car/van.

SANDY - STOCK TRANSPORTATION, Route #12

Stop arm violations in Crystal Lake, Illinois are on the rise with the increased amount of traffic and is being taken seriously by T.J.A. (Transportation Joint Agreement), the Crystal Lake Police Department (C.L.P.D.) And the Illinois State Police.
TJA in cooperation with the C.L.P.D. and the Illinois State Police have put together a plan to hopefully reduce
the number of school bus stop arm violations in Crystal lake.
The C.L.P.D. has designated an officer to work with TJA in ticketing stop arm violators. Officer Sean McGrath
has asked me to notify our drivers that in order to make this project a success, we will need your help.
If you have a particular location on your routes that have regular occurrences of vehicles driving through your stop arm during pick-ups or drop-offs on the streets of Crystal Lake this office needs to be made aware of this situation
either written or verbally.
After we have received notification of these occurrences we will pass this information on to Officer McGrath.
Officer McGrath will arrange to have an officer ride your bus and witness the violation, the officer riding your bus
will radio a squad car in the area to apprehend the violator and issue a citation.
The Illinois State Police has contacted this office and Officer McGrath, and will assist in this project by writing citations and/or having a trooper ride the bus.

We would like to get this project underway as soon as possible, so if you have any areas that need to be targeted
let the office know as soon as possible.

(A recent memo to all School Bus drivers in Crystal lake,Ill.........Frank Bus # 150)

This past week, on 2 different days, I had a Crystal Lake Police Officer riding on my bus to watch for stop arm violators. They both told me that the Project is WORKING.
Stop arm violations are definitely going down!!!!!!
Perhaps more districts could try this system. If anyone wants more information just Email me and I will try to get answers for you......Frank Bus #150

Since Jan.1,1998, thru today, Dec. 9,1998, there have been 110 tickets issued for stop arm violations in, and around, Crystal lake,Illinois.
87 of them have been issued since Sept.1,1998 and so far there have been 14 issued in December.
Officer Sean McGrath and his crew are doing a GREAT job of making it safer for the school children in this area.
Our drivers have noticed a definate drop off of stop-arm violations and we couldn't be happier about it.
I reccomend that all drivers try to get a program such as this one started in your area. You will be glad that you did.
......Frank

Michigan now has increased the fine for running red lights to $500 (up to $500.00 by the judge). We now have Police riding in buses with radios and calling their parners when a car runs the light.

REX SLINGSBY BUS 92
Forest Hills Public School
Grand Rapids, MIchigan

Effective 1-1-98 all school buses in the state of California will operate red lights when loading or unloading pupils.
This applies to everywhere: at schools, where crossing students across the street or not, at parks, streets, even private
property. Currently there are no exemptions to the law, so if a driver is stopped on the street loading a wheel chair student,
and that driver takes 5 ++ minutes to load.......traffic will have to wait.
Jon Usle' School bus driver, school bus conversion owner, transit management manager.

Cajon Pass, CA

The second part of your question was about escorting of students.
Yes, we do escort all elementary (pre kindergarten to 8th grade) school children across the road.
The high school students may cross without the driver, but most school district require the driver to escort
these students as well.
Also the driver must carry and raise a hand held stop sign during the escorting of the students.
If you or anyone else has a question about California just let me know..................
Leland Kinard, DDS Supervisor Laidlaw Transit
Email......Leland

Arizona Red Lights: Most of our busses have the 8 light system. Busses stop in the traffic lanes to cross students.
Driver never leaves the bus seat when students are aboard. Students are supposed to walk to a spot where they can see the driver and wait for a signal to cross the street after they leave the bus.
If we can pull completely off the road on rural highways we don't use the red lights.
I first drove school busses in Calif and the problem was not escorting the students across the street, it was getting back to the bus afterwards.

Hi, I drive a preschool bus for a public school in Northwest Ohio

We always have had to use the red lights no matter what the situation.
With preschoolers I have to get up with the kids when, they get on and off, and buckle or unbuckle them.
I drive the same buses as all the other drivers in our district (72 to 84 passenger), but with me out of the seat
all of the time my lights get ran more then others.
But in the back I can also get the plate numbers a a lot easier too. All we have to do is call it into the Sheriff
and they will issue a citation to the driver of the car.
With preschoolers, and no bus aide, if I had to get out and escort them across the street one of them would
get unbuckled and drive away before I got back in, I don't like that idea at all.

...Melanie

Subject:New California Law

As of January 1, 1998 in California all loading and unloading of students from a school bus requires
the use of flashing red lights.
Elementary students are escorted by the driver across the street. The public is being educated to the new law.
In the past only students crossing were red lighted.
Drivers seeing students loading only, are now having to stop because of the new red light law.

................Sue

I am interested in different laws, in different states. I live in New York and have heard that in California
drivers do not use their red school lights if they discharge students on the right side of the road, and when they do
have to cross a child that they have to get out of the bus and walk the student across. Can anyone tell me if this is true?
Also, are there any states that do not require school buses to stop at RR crossings?
Any other laws unique to your states would be of interest.
Thank you,........................ Bonnie

Well, now that 1998 is here...VERY FEW people have stopped for our red lights.
I've gotta new Collins, so it's easy for me to actually point to my stop arm and make people stop.
I've scored 2 that way.
Most people are not stopping in school zones! The most obvious place to stop too. I load from the street
and even with a Crown behind me with lights on people still don't see them
What do we need to do? Put red Xmas tree lights all over flashing???
Have a flag signaller stand behind the buses??

I've counted 13 passing me on Monday the 5th, first day back from holiday vacation, that's almost all the cars
who passed me all day.....About 5 stopped.
Part of the problem is the state-almost NO publicity about it!
And yes, it is TRUE we get out with the lights on and a big STOP sign to cross kiddies !
I can tell a few stories about that...like how Manuel actually threw his sign
at a pickup truck who ran the lights!
(after the kids got across thankfully!)...:-}

The Buslady....aka Gina Godat

1.)All elementary school aged students from grades K-8 must be escorted across the street with a hand-held stop sign.
With students walking in front of the bus and between the driver and the bus.
2.) All secondary students do not have to be escorted across the street, but bus red-lights will be on
until all students are across the street.
Well, California law states if the bus driver deems it unsafe he/she may escort students across the roadway.
3.) Others laws concerning red-light crossing: Specific distances from a signal controlled intersections,
and certain roadways/ highways that are unsafe for any type of student escorting.

(I drive for Forest Lake Christian School, Auburn, CA)

Comment: Effective January 1, 1998 all school buses in the State of California will have to run their red, cross-over lights when they are loading and unloading students irregardless of location of loading or unloading site.
No exemptions will be allowed. Red cross over lights will be used when loading or unloading
of students regardless if the bus is on a public street or public highway.
I know many of you outside of California have done this for many years.
What problems has it caused to traffic in the urban areas?
Do you have to use your red lights when loading or unloading students when you are in parking lots off the street?
Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks........Richard in California

SACRAMENTO, California - Nov. 17, 1997

A new Illinois law requires school buses to have crossing arms installed by January 1,1999.

...(3/5/01) A new law in my state, PA. has passed, that as of June 2001 it is mandated that all buses are equipped with safety arms.
Just thought I'd pass this along.
Kim in PA #625

Just to update you on the new laws in Pennsylvania....(2/27/99)

Effective January 1,1999 crossing arms are optional on school buses.
Beginning July 1,1999 any buses purchased or manufactured after that date must be equipped with a crossing arm and as of July 2001 all buses must be equipped with a crossing arm.

Also effective January 1,1999 school buses in Pa. may use a white strobe light on the top of the bus.

Mike King
Central Bucks School District

Subject: Ontario laws (Canadian)

In Ontario school buses are required to have stop arms and has been this way since the early 80's.
Also some operators (Laidlaw being one) are now equiping their buses with crossing arms.
As of this year we are required by law to stop at ALL railway crossings.
Prior to to this we were only required to stop at "unprotected" crossings although most companys stoped at all crossings anyway.
Red warning lights/stop arm must be used at all stops and the bus must remain on the traveled portion of the road.
Exeptions, designated bus loading zones,at trafic lights.
At these locations you must not use your warning lights.

Great site keep up the good work

Morgan bus#617 Trenton Ont

California:

Frank, you asked about laws in different states...well in CA we have to put the crossover lights at all stops we make whether they cross or not, it has cause some aniexty over the motorists but hey, its their kids we are transporting...so I just tell them "Deal with it".

Also, a new law was just passed this year about having the doors on the bus open while running empty, many know the trick of blowing out the paper by dropping the last few windows and opening the door, well we are not allowed to do that anymore here in CA.

Seatbelt laws are being looked at, but I have mixed feelings on the subject.
Its a touchy situation and well I just hope they do whats best for the kids sake, I will do my job according to what the law says.

To all those other bus driver out there "Hang in there, Friday is around the corner...lol

Kelli Flores
Weaver School District
Merced, CA 95340

All New York State School Buses purchased or leased on or after Sept 1, 1997 shall have the telephone number
of the owner/operator printed on the left hand side of the back of the vehicle.

....Bonnie

1)..Are your buses inspected annually by the state?

Alaska...........Our buses are inspected twice a year.
California.........Yes, every 13 months.
Illinois...............Yes
Kansas............Buses inspected annually by the state.
Michigan.......Yes, all buses must be inspected every year and given stickers upon completion.
Missouri........Buses are STATE & DOT insp. once a year.
Montana........The Montana Highway Patrol is required to inspect all school buses twice a year. (Our shop does a monthly safety inspection which is tougher than the MHP inspection)
Red means the bus is not operational and may not be driven, yellow means it can be driven,
but the problem must be corrected very quickly, and green means your good to go with no problems.
Nevada..........We have our buses inspected twice a year by the Nevada Hwy Patrol.
New York.........Bus must be inspected every 6 months by the state
New Jresey.......Bus inspection every 6 months
Ohio...................Ohio school buses are thoroughly inspected once
a year (during the summer) and at least once as a spot inspection - usually in November or December.
This ruins the fun of Christmas, since we are not allowed to have ANYTHING hanging above the windows
or windshield on the header!
Pennsylvania . . . Yes, once a year usually before the new school year begins.
Virginia ...........Yearly inspection by the state, we also have in shop servicing every 40 days (I think) or
so many miles, which is done by our mechanics.

2)..Are you required to take "refresher" courses every year by your state?

Alaska.............Refresher training for returning drivers is required at an 8 hour minimum
California........Yes every 5 Years
Illinois...............Yes, Anually
Michigan.........No, we have to take our refresher course every two years now.
missouri............Drivers must apply for state school bus permit every 3 years.
Montana........No refresher courses are required in Montana, but our company, (contractor),has monthly safety meetings.
Nevada..........Yes, we train every year 20 hrs., and we have to pass a state test.
The hard part is that the test is made in another section of the state
and their rules are different so we have to know their way of doing things plus our way.
It gets kinda crazy when you have to decide is this a state rule or district.
New York........2 refresher courses per school year each lasting 2 hours,mandatory.
New Jersey.......Refresher course - No
Ohio................If it passes during the next few weeks, legislation will require ALL CDL school bus drivers to
re-take the Pre-Service School Bus Driver Training class.
They are beginning with the drivers who have been driving for 20 years or more.
The following year it will require drivers with 15-20 years of driving to retake the course.
They will have to take a written, Pre-trip and Driving Exam.
They may grand-father the driving portion if they participate in the Ohio Regional School Bus Driver Road-e-o
and pass with a total score of 80% or better.
(if present proposed way remains in effect), 80% is only half, the other would still include the required class time OR class time from Ohio Advanced School Bus Driver Training Class counts toward recertification.
This should be fun :-)

Pennsylvania . . . School bus certification must be renewed every four years by completing a minimum of 10 hours of instruction and and the "S" endorsement Knowledge and Skills examination.
The instruction must include 7 hours of classroom training and 3 hours of in-bus training.
Virginia............If a driver has several complaints about them, they may be required to attend some of the classes
for the new members. Otherwise the only refreshers we have are CPR and First aid.

3)..Does your state allow advertising on school buses?

Alaska...............Advertising is not allowed on our buses (We are a private contractor--Laidlaw!!)
Illinois,................No
Kansas..............State lawmakers are debating advertising on school buses.
Michigan...........No, we are most certainly not to advertise or have anything on our buses.
Missouri..........Contractor and/or district lettering must be visable,DOT numbers must be on each side of the bus etc.
Montana........No.
Nevada...........No.
New Jersey.......No
Ohio......................Ohio does not allow advertising on it's school buses.
Pennsylvania . . . Not to my knowledge. It has never been seen in this area.
Virginia..............We are not allowed advertising of any kind, stickers or even a paper drawn by one of the students.
This is broken quite a bit, some proudly display the pages of elementary students.

4).What is the minimum age, in your state, to drive a school bus?

Alaska...............You must be 21 years of age and have driven for at least one year, have a clean driving record and criminal history.
California..........18 years of age
Kansas..............Age to drive, 18.
Montana..........21 years of age is the minimum for a license.
Missouri.......must be 21 to drive
Nevada..............Our drivers must be 21 yrs to drive.
New York..........Must be 21 to drive a school bus.
New Jersey........Must have 3 years experience driving
Ohio....................Ohio law requires a driver to be at least 18 years old.
Pennsylvania . . . 18 years of age
Virginia..............19, the youngest you can be for an instate CDL

6)..If you work for a private contractor do you follow the same rules as drivers who work for school districts?

Alaska..............Yes, some even stricter.
Kansas.............Private contractor's follow same laws as school owned buses.
Montana........Yes, even stricter at times.
New Jersey........Private contractors follow same rules as school owned
Pennsylvania . . . Not necessarily.

7)..Does your state require stopping at railroad crossings, even when empty?

Alaska..............Apparently our buses do not need to stop at RR crossing IF they are empty.
Arizona............ There are no exempt crossings in AZ. Empty busses are not required to stop by state law.
Flagstaff district policy is to stop at all crossings.
Mesa district has same policy.
Georgia..........All buses must stop at RR crossings.
Illinois...............Required as of Jan.1,1997
Kansas............Buses must stop at all railroad crossing, even empty.
Massachusetts...........In the state of MA, EVERY school bus is required by law to stop at RRX,regardless if the bus has passengers aboard or not. It has become a habit for all bus drivers, and if you ask most they'll tell you that they have even stopped when they were in their own car!!!
Missouri..........Must stop at RxR crossings.
Montana.........Yes.
Nevada............Yes
New Jersey........Must stop at railroad crossing, unless exempt sign is posted.
Ohio....................We must stop at ALL railroad crossings,with or without students on,
UNLESS the track is deemed DEAD. But even spur tracks we have to stop at.
Pennsylvania . . . YES!!!

8)..Does your state require crossing arms?

Alaska.............No, but Laidlaw does and we have them.
Georgia..............Red lights/crossing arms are required at all stops except on school grounds.
Illinois...............Required as of Jan.1,1999
Kansas............We have required crossing arms for many years.
Missouri.......Your stop arm must be out, red lights on for every pickup&drop,
Montana.........No. Red flashing lights are required when loading / unloading any children.
Nevada............Yes
New York .......Does not require crossing arms
New Jersey......Yes
Pennsylvania . . . Apparently not, however, red flashing lights are to be used at EVERY stop. All traffic is to stop in both directions when red lights are flashing. Drivers remain seated while students disembark and cross (where necessary) to their stops. Our school district (East Stroudsburg Area) requires that Kindergarten parents must be present at the school bus stop to load students to go to school and to receive students at the end of the day.

9)..Does your state have speed limits specifically for school buses?

Arizona....Speed limits: I was always taught that driving with the traffic, same speed, was the safest.
Calif. law limits trucks and school busses to 55 in the right lane.
Here is AZ we can go the posted speed limit (75), but most of our Flagstaff busses only go 55.
I'm not convinced that slow speed is safe. I would much rather have speed and power to pass safely and maneuver in and around traffic. I'm really fearful of some big truck rear-ending me with a legal 20 mph difference in speed.

Connecticut....Subject: speed limits...(2/5/99)

Hi, I am a Connecticut bus driver.
I drive on the highway everyday. About 80 miles covered every day. The speed limit is 65 in some spots and 55 in others. The legal limit here is 50 mph. I am terrified driving 50 in a 65 mph zone. Cars tailgate me, I have had cars try to pass me in the breakdown lane, semi's passing on both sides when I have to be in the middle lane(mostly I am in the right lane.) I have been cut off numerous times by cars who feel I am driving slowly on purpose. If I had a nickle for every car that flew in front of me I could retire before the year is out (and I have only been driving for 1 year).
I would like to see the limit raised in my state to at least 55. I also know in Rhode Island the legal limit is 45mph. That is an accident waiting to happen.
I do not think that the speed limit should have been raised to 65, because now people travel at speeds in excess of 70 mph.
Thank you for the great page. I have been on it for most of the morning.

Lisa Morrison---Pawcatuck CT---bus 28

Georgia.....Speed limit varies by school district. State law is more flexible than county law. (In some counties)

Kansas.....Here in Kansas, the max speed for any school bus is 55MPH.
We're hoping to get it raised to 65MPH on roads that are 70MPH for others. At 55 we are a hazard on the highways. On two lane roads it should stay at 55MPH.
The most important thing, is the safety of the children.
MissouriThere is no mandatory speed limit, only company rules, which is 5 under posted limits, except 65&70mph.
Montana.........Posted speed limit, but Montana does not have a day time limit. I haven't seen a school bus in the state that goes over 65 mph, tho.

Parking Brake
...(6/3/99)

Hey Frank, love the web site,
Please ask your readers their thoughts about state law (new) that requires setting the parking brake at stop signs and traffic signals.
Love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
Jo #13 north central Ohio

Jo; I have a theory about laws (rules?) such as parking brakes at stop signs and shifting into low gear when crossing R.R.tracks etc.
Could these rules be leftovers from when all school buses had manual transmissions?
The buses in my districts are all automatics now and the rule about shifting into low gear at R.R. crossings makes no sense whatsoever. Using your parking brake at a stop sign is in the same category.

Party buses....When I was looking into driving for Ryder in IL this summer, I was told that they use the school buses as charter "Party Buses", where beer is allowed/drank on the bus.
I don't see how this should be allowed. Please ask others what they feel.
Thanks

Robert Bus86, Manhattan Kansas

Montana.........RE: Party buses,
We are a contractor here in Montana and use our buses many times for "Party Buses". We do charge a cleaning fee of $100. Also, if the riders get rowdy, the driver is allowed to terminate the trip at any time.

Dennis, Bus Dispatcher and Chief Sub-driver
Whitefish, Montana

Really enjoy your web page, found the address in NEA Today.

I have driven busses for 39 years and rode them many years before that.
I retired after 27 years at Greyhound and am back with big yellow while attending Northern Arizona University here.

My pet peeves about school busses are mirrors, driver seats, and heating/ventilating system.

Mirrors...The mirrors on many school busses are more of a safety hazard than a help. I drive a Thomas conventional and we some pushers we use out of town. The mirrors on those things block my vision at almost every intersection. On the MCI, GMC, and even the Eagles used in inter-city transit, have mirrors mounted below eye level so they don't block views of traffic. I remember the Crown coaches we used in California had much better mirrors than the Thomas busses. Of course the old Wayne busses I first drove had a 6" x 4" mirror mounted on the post behind the door on the right side, you looked out the first passenger window. I also like the heated power mirrors available on big trucks.

I agree 100% John, I drive a Bluebird and the L.H. mirrors on it blocks out a large area needed when making left turns. A definate safety defect, especially when better mirrors are available, as you pointed out.
Frank Bus #150

Seats... My new Thomas has an air suspension seat. Wow, just like a big truck, and really a great boon for tired old backs like mine.

Heating and Ventilating...Of course heating and ventilating is a joke on school busses. The AC sytems on our Greyhounds didn't always cool or heat adequately, but we did get a constant supply of fresh air circulating and the thermostats did keep the temperature quite even. The heaters on my Thomas are no better than those old '50 corn- binder I started with.

Respect for Drivers...Why are schools so cheap on transportation? Will they ever wake up to the fact that the best, and most economical, safety device is a well trained, professional driver?
Drivers would stay with the districts year after year if they were treated with the respect they deserve.
But NO! We always have been, and probably always will be the poor step-children when it comes to budget and wages.

John Lovely, Bus # 16, Flagstaff, AZ school district.

HEY,,JOHN!! I agree with you,, why can't they treat us with respect and a decent wage!!! I have been a driver for over 20 years,, and we are regresssing in what little benefits we did have...and just darned right talk to nasty at negoations. I just wish all the drivers would stick together,,, and demand at least a base way for all of us,, and them grow on that,..we should not accept anything lower than.......$11 an hour,, and those of you out there making that and more,,,, stay with it,,,, and keep demanding more,,, we just need to stick together to prove our point,,, our job is worth more than minum. wage!!!

Ken & Becky Sieg

Subject: respect...(12/7/98)

Hi frank, great web site, thanks for all your hard work.!!
I have to agree with John, bus drivers are not treated with respect, not only by their employers ,there are also the students who think they can walk all over you ( if you let them) and the parents who think their kids can do no wrong (little angels).
We have a tuff and a thankless job and most of us sure don't do it just for the money.

Donna
Bus #129, N.Y.