School Bus Safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), school buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children to and from school. School buses are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in avoiding crashes and preventing injuries.
They’re big, they’re yellow, the newer ones have flashing strobe lights on them, and the times they’re on the roads are fairly predictable – these are all some of the reasons why they’re safe. There are also specific laws governing the way you can drive around them
Driving Around School Buses
First of all, slow down.
Watch for children – they can come from all directions, especially if they’re running late.
Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, load, or unload children. Drivers may pass using care and caution at a speed not exceeding 20 MPH.
Red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off. Drivers must STOP and WAIT until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arms are withdrawn, and the bus begins moving again before they can continue driving.
Under a new law that took effect earlier this year, a first-time offense will result in a $1,000 fine and 10 hours of community service. The penalties increase for each offense. (Utah Code 41-6a-1302)
Amber Flashing Lights ⚠️
- When a school bus has amber (yellow) flashing lights, you must slow down.
- You can still pass the bus, but you must do so with due care and caution.
- Your speed should not be faster than a school zone speed limit (typically 20 mph) to ensure the safety of any children nearby.
Red Flashing Lights 🛑
- When a school bus has red flashing lights, you must stop immediately.
- Do not pass the bus.
- You cannot proceed until the red lights stop flashing.
Exceptions (When You Don’t Have to Stop for Red Lights)
You don’t need to stop for a school bus with red flashing lights if it’s on the opposite side of the road and:
- You’re on a divided highway (a road with a physical barrier like a median).
- The bus is stopped at an intersection controlled by a traffic light or a police officer.
- You’re on a highway with five or more lanes, including turn lanes.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY FEATURES
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), school buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children to and from school. School buses are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in avoiding crashes and preventing injuries.
Why don’t school buses have seat belts?
School buses are designed differently and use a different kind of safety restraint system.
Compartmentalization: NHTSA decided this concept is the best way to provide crash protection to passengers of large school buses. It provides a protective envelope consisting of strong, closely-spaced seats that have energy-absorbing seat backs. A relatable way to think about it is to compare it to an egg carton.
Large school buses are heavier and distribute crash forces differently than passenger vehicles, lessening the crash force occupants experience.
NHTSA’s more detailed information is available here.