SCHOOL BUS EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
California Education Code 39831.5
All students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in public or private school who are transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus shall receive instruction in school emergency procedures and passenger safety. The county superintendent of schools, superintendent of the school district, or owner/operator of a private school, as applicable, shall ensure that the instruction is provided as follows:
(1) Upon registration, the parents or guardians of all pupils not previously transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus and who are in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall be provided with written information on school bus safety. The information shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(A) A list of school bus stops near each pupil's home.
(B) General rules of conduct at school bus loading zones.
(C) Red light crossing instructions.
(D) School bus danger zone.
(E) Walking to and from school bus stops.
(2) At least once in each school year, all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who receive home-to-school transportation shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, proper loading and unloading procedures, including escorting by the driver, how to safely cross the street, highway, or private road, instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, as described in paragraph (3), proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. As part of the instruction, pupils shall evacuate the school bus through emergency exit doors.
(3) Instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, when a passenger restraint system is installed, shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(A) Proper fastening and release of the passenger restraint system.
(B) Acceptable placement of passenger restraint systems on pupils.
(C) Times at which the passenger restraint systems should be fastened and released.
(D) Acceptable placement of the passenger restraint systems when not in use.
(4) Prior to departure on a school activity trip, all pupils riding on a school bus or school pupil activity bus shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, location of emergency exits, and location and use of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit.
(b) The following information shall be documented each time the instruction required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) is given:
(1) Name of school district, county office of education, or private school.
(2) Name and location of school.
(3) Date of instruction.
(4) Names of supervising adults.
(5) Number of pupils participating.
(6) Grade levels of pupils.
(7) Subjects covered in instruction.
(8) Amount of time taken for instruction.
(9) Bus driver's name.
(10) Bus number.
(11) Additional remarks.
The information recorded pursuant to this subdivision shall remain on file at the district or county office, or at the school, for one year from the date of the instruction, and shall be subject to inspection by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
DANGER ZONES ZONAS DE PELIGRO
SCHOOL BUS LOADING AND UNLOADING PROCEDURES
California Vehicle Code 22112
On approach to a school bus stop where pupils are loading or unloading from a school bus, the school bus driver shall activate an approved amber warning light system, if the school bus is so equipped, beginning 200 feet before the school bus stop. The school bus driver shall deactivate the amber warning light system after reaching the school bus stop. The school bus driver shall operate the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm, as required on the school bus, at all times when the school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils. The flashing red light signal system, amber warning lights system, and stop signal arm shall not be operated at any place where traffic is controlled by a traffic officer or at any location identified in subdivision (e) of this section. The school bus flashing red light signal system, amber warning lights system, and stop signal arm shall not be operated at any other time.
(b) The school bus driver shall stop to load or unload pupils only at a school bus stop designated for pupils by the school district superintendent or the head or principal of a private school, or authorized by any of those individuals for school activity trips.
(c) When a school bus is stopped on a highway or private road for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils, at a location where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer, the driver shall, before opening the door, ensure that the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm are activated, and that it is safe to enter or exit the school bus.
(d) When a school bus is stopped on a highway or private road for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils, at a location where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic control signal, the school bus driver shall do all of the following:
(1) Escort all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped. The driver shall use an approved hand-held “STOP” sign while escorting all pupils.
(2) Require all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped to walk in front of the bus as they cross.
(3) Ensure that all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped have crossed safely, and that all other pupils and pedestrians are a safe distance from the school bus before setting the school bus in motion.
(e) Except at a location where pupils are loading or unloading from a school bus and must cross a highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped, the school bus driver may not activate the amber warning light system, the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm at any of the following locations:
(1) School bus loading zones on or adjacent to school grounds or during an activity trip, if the school bus is lawfully stopped or parked.
(2) Where the school bus is disabled due to mechanical breakdown. The driver of a relief bus that arrives at the scene to transport pupils from the disabled school bus shall not activate the amber warning light system, the flashing red light system, and stop signal arm.
(3) Where a pupil requires physical assistance from the driver or authorized attendant to board or leave the school bus and providing the assistance extends the length of time the school bus is stopped beyond the time required to load or unload a pupil that does not require physical assistance.
(4) Where the roadway surface on which the bus is stopped is partially or completely covered by snow or ice and requiring traffic to stop would pose a safety hazard as determined by the school bus motor carrier.
(5) On a state highway with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher where the school bus is completely off the main traveled portion of the highway.
(6) Any location determined by a school district or a private school, with the approval of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to present a traffic or safety hazard.
(f) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may require the activation of an approved flashing amber warning light system, if the school bus is so equipped, or the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm, as required on the school bus, at any location where the department determines that the activation is necessary for the safety of school pupils loading or unloading from a school bus.
SCHOOL BUS SPEED LIMITS
California Vehicle Code 22406
No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:
(c) A school bus transporting any school pupil.
RAILROAD CROSSING PROCEDURES
California Vehicle Code 22452 (a)(3) & (b)
(a),(3) A school bus and a school pupil activity bus transporting school pupils
(b) Before traversing a railroad grade crossing, the driver of a vehicle described in subdivision (a)
shall stop that vehicle not less than 15 nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the track and
while so stopped, shall listen, and look in both directions along the track, for an approaching train.
or on-track equipment and for signals indicating the approach of a train or on-track equipment,
and shall not proceed until he or she can do so safely.
School Bus Speed limit when Transporting School pupils.
California Vehicle Code 22406
No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:
(a) A motor truck or truck tractor having three or more axles or any motor truck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle.
(b) A passenger vehicle or bus drawing any other vehicle.
(c) A school bus transporting any school pupil.
(d) A farm labor vehicle when transporting passengers.
(e) A vehicle transporting explosives.
(f) A trailer bus, as defined in Section 636.
Additional Standards of Care
Visalia Unified School District School Bus Drivers shall follow the requirements of CVC 22406, when "not" transporting pupils.
Unauthorized Entry
The Superintendent or designee may place a notice at bus entrances that warns against unauthorized entry. The driver or another school official may order any person to disembark if that person enters a bus without prior authorization and has intent to commit a crime. (Education Code 39842) Procedure for Warnings of Unauthorized Entry. By law the driver is responsible for the safety of all students while aboard his/her bus. In an effort to assist with that duty the Administrator of Transportation and Operations or designee will provide information to the school bus driver, school, parent or guardian to inform them of unauthorized entry.
The driver will notify the Transportation Supervisor or designee in writing should there be any incident that constitutes unauthorized entry.
At the driver’s discretion: Staff and parents may enter the bus to assist in loading and unloading. Arrangements must be made in advance for any passengers.
