They consist of an X with the letters RR and a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads. Flashing Red Light Signals. Lead students as far away from railroad tracks as possible and in the direction of any oncoming train. DPS Urges Drivers to Be Aware as School Year Begins Will you be more careful now that you know the 20ft rule? The term overtaking means when cars are moving in the same direction. Drivers who illegally pass a school bus face fines up to $1,250 for the first offense. School bus safety - Texas Department of Transportation Place the transmission in Park or, if there is no Park shift point, in Neutral, and set the parking brake at each stop. Pavement markings mean the same as the advance warning sign. The penalty for failure to stop for a school bus goes from a minimum $100 to $200 and if a second offense is committed in 5 years, the person's license will be suspended for up to 1 year. As the yellow lights come on the speed limit is reduced to 20mph, regardless of what the street signs say. Slow down in or near school and residential areas. When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus: Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You may or may not be able to stop faster with ABS, but you should be able to steer around an obstacle while braking, and avoid skids caused by over braking. 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 is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. California's Laws Regarding School Zones & Buses Chapter 33 - Rules of the Road in General 3345 - Meeting or overtaking school bus. Additionally, you must wait until the children are clear of the road and the sign is withdrawn for you to proceed. The position of the bus may change and increase the danger. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official. You must stop at these crossings and follow proper procedures. You must use the exterior side mirrors to monitor traffic that approaches and enters this area. Motorists approaching a stopped school bus from the rear with its overhead red signals lights flashing, shall stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves, or the overhead lights have stopped flashing and its stop arm is no longer activated. For instance, if youre driving on a highway with a significant barrier in the middle, only the vehicles following the bus should stop. Remember: The best vehicle safety feature is still a safe driver. Ontario mandates new amber-red light warning system on school buses Many buses built before these dates have been voluntarily equipped with ABS. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean the bus has stopped and that children are . 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.