What is the danger zone for school buses in California?

The danger zones may extend as much as 30 feet from the front bumper (with the first 12 feet being the most dangerous), 12 feet from the left and right sides, and 12 feet behind the rear bumper of the school bus. In addition, the area to the left of the bus is always considered dangerous because of passing cars.

What is the danger zone around a school bus?

The area of greatest danger is immediately in front of the front bumper and right wheel. Teach students "If you can touch the bus, you are TOO CLOSE," and "If you can't see the driver as you cross the street in front of the bus, you are TOO CLOSE." Students should always cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.

What is the law for stopping for school bus in California?

California School Bus Laws

Drivers are legally required to stop when encountering a school bus that has come to a halt in front of them and has its stop sign arm extended and lights flashing.

Does California have school buses?

There are about 23,800 school buses (public and private) in the statewide fleet. About 500 electric school buses are on the road, and another 2,078 are committed — they are already ordered or on the way to school districts — according to the World Resources Institute Electric School Bus Initiative.

What disqualifies you from being a school bus driver in California?

Having been convicted of any crime within the last ten years, including motor vehicle violations, which would materially and substantially impair the individual's worthiness and ability to serve as an authorized school bus driver.

School Bus Safety - The Danger Zone | McAllen ISD

What is considered a school bus accident in California?

Section 12517.1 - Schoolbus accidents (a) A "schoolbus accident" means any of the following: (1) A motor vehicle accident resulting in property damage in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or personal injury, on public or private property, and involving a schoolbus, youth bus, school pupil activity bus, or ...

Can a school bus driver report you for not stopping in California?

A bus driver who witnesses a violation can make a report within 24 hours, according to California law. Stop arm cameras cannot currently cite drivers.

Does California have school zones?

Under California law, a school zone is an area of a highway, which is a public area open to use for vehicles including roads and streets, that surrounds a school building and its grounds. This includes the area of the road that approaches or passes the school and is not separated by a fence or other barrier.

Why doesn t California have school busses?

Since state officials froze school transportation funding levels more than 40 years ago, districts across California have cut back on bus routes or ended them; charged parents hundreds of dollars; or urged students to take public transit instead.

Why does Southern California not have school buses?

In the cities and densely populated areas of Southern California they are often unnecessary due to the schools being relatively close to the homes and people they serve. In many of these areas, city transit will take the place of buses.

How much is a ticket for passing a school bus in California?

Under CVC 22454, California law requires you remain stopped as long as the red lights on the school bus are flashing. If you fail to stop, you may be fined up to $1,000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for 1 year.

Can you pass a school bus with flashing yellow lights in California?

If you see the lights flashing on the school bus, you must proceed cautiously and watch for children by the side of the road. Remember, children are often unpredictable and may not see you coming. They could run into the road at any time. Passing the bus when the yellow lights are flashing is strongly discouraged.

Who designates school bus stops in California?

Each school district establishes official routes and school bus stops. All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop.

What is the danger zone on a bus?

The “Danger Zone” is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the driver (ten feet in front of the bus where the driver may be too high to see a child, ten feet on either side of the bus where a child may be in the driver's blind spot, and the area behind the bus).

Do California school buses have cameras?

California school buses are not allowed to have cameras on the bus while it is being operated. In some states, these cameras are used to monitor drivers around the bus as well as the behavior of the driver at train crossings and other mandatory stops.

What is a danger zone in driving?

The danger zone of any vehicle can be described as the area directly in front of the vehicle in which the vehicle cannot stop. In the following diagram, the danger zone is shown as the shaded area.

Why are all schools in California outside?

Fundamentally, whether a school's structure is indoors or outdoors depends on climate and environmental conditions. For example, our school and many other schools within the state have outdoor campuses. This is largely due to California's consistently warm temperatures and dry weather.

Why don t school buses have seat belts in the usa?

School buses are equipped with a passive restraint system called compartmentalization that means that the seating area of a school bus is built with specially padded high-back, wider, thicker seats that protect students in school buses during accidents.

What color are school buses in California?

(a) Each school bus shall be identified as follows: (1) Body and Trim Colors. Whenever in this section the color yellow is specified, it shall mean National School Bus Yellow unless otherwise stated.

What are the school zone rules in California?

The speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street. Some school zones may have speed limits as low as 15 mph.

Why are most schools in California outside?

California by and large has indoor classes and classrooms. Many schools do not have enclosed corridors as the climate does not need it. Physical education and sports, and some classes like gardening or surveying maybe outside.

Who are the highest paid teachers in California?

Teacher pay was highest in Silicon Valley's Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, where teachers earned, on average, about $152,500. A quick way to adjust pay for cost of living is to calculate the difference between average teacher salary and the cost of the typically priced home.

Can you go around a school bus with yellow flashing lights?

Flashing overhead yellow lights: Slow down and prepare to stop, because the red flashing lights will be engaged. Flashing overhead red lights: Behind the bus, stop. Coming the other way, stop unless there is a median or other barrier between you and the bus.

What is California's basic speed law?

California has a “Basic Speed Law” that states “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or ...

Do school buses have outside cameras?

Looking Out for Safety

Increasingly, one way to ensure safety is the top priority is through the use of cameras inside and outside a school bus. The truth is that cameras can go a long way toward ensuring students' safety while being transported to and from school.