School Bus Safety Laws
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2006 research study "Occupant and Pedestrian Fatalities in School Transportation Related Crashes" shows that an average of 20 school-age children die in school transportation-related traffic crashes each year. The NHTSA strives to reduce safety hazards and risks that school-aged children encounter during their school day. In doing so, the Department has established several rules and guidelines to help enforce this mission.
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Interior Bus Requirements
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In order to ensure the safety of the drivers and passengers of school buses, the NHTSA has set forth seating and structure guidelines for vehicles that are intended for school transportation. Contactable Surface regulations require the front of a seat back or restraining barrier to be at least 76mm or more below the top of the seat back. In addition, school bus seat cushions "shall not separate from the seat at any attachment point when" the seat is subjected to upward force or motion. NHTSA regulations require that the inside of the school bus be designed to protect children, even without buckling their seat belts. Each manufacturer is expected to follow the guidelines or face strong penalties and fines.
Wheelchair Accessibility
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School buses that are designed to be wheelchair accessible must include an occupant restraint anchor, which is used to restrain the occupant and chair to the vehicle. The bus must also include the wheelchair securement anchor, which is used to transfer the wheelchair onto the bus. The wheelchair securement device is the actual strap that secures the wheelchair to the bus.
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Exterior Bus Requirements
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The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations require school buses to add School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices to improve the safety of pedestrians. This regulation requires buses to be equipped with devices that can be seen by drivers from the outside of the bus. Most school buses have added exterior stop signs that indicate exiting passengers.
Drivers of Other Vehicles
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Drivers are required to stop when they are presented with a school bus that has extended the stop arm with red flashing lights. This indicates that children are exiting the bus and may be crossing in front of the bus. Drivers should not proceed until the school bus has withdrawn its stop sign and begun to move.
Passing a Bus
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While each state is responsible for establishing their own school bus laws and regulations, the NHTSA requires that the warning light regulations. In addition to this regulation, NHTSA also requires that drivers avoid passing on the right side of a school bus. This is the side where children enter and exit the bus. Passing on the right side of the school bus is illegal and can result in serious injury. Many states now allow school bus drivers to report offending vehicles. Violating these laws can result in penalties and fines.
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