Why do school buses open their doors at railroad tracks when they stop there.
2007-03-27 00:34:46 · 12 answers · asked by Melli 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
The following is from Michigan's Pupil Transportation Act, which may or may not be similar to the law in other states:
"the driver of a school bus, before crossing a railroad track at grade, shall stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, activate hazard warning lights, turn off all interior switches including fans, heaters and radios, open the passenger door and driver-side window, and while stopped shall listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely."
2007-03-27 01:59:53 · answer #1 · answered by KaeZoo 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
In California, not only school buses and regular buses are to stop, but trucks carrying flammable liquids or other types of hazardous materials are required to stop as well.
It is a safety measure adopted in the wake of several tragedies involving grade crossing collisions with great loss of life.
2007-03-27 16:20:16 · answer #2 · answered by Samurai Hoghead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This procedure makes for certain that they are stopped for the proper length of time they need to properly check for oncoming trains. This basically forces them to stop rather then just have a glance down the track as they roll on through.
2007-03-27 08:13:20 · answer #3 · answered by wheeler 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So they can hear from that side of the bus and get a better view. Unlike the drivers side the do not have a window they can open to look out.
2007-03-28 03:49:24 · answer #4 · answered by railfanalways 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it would be to give the driver a better view of the door side of the tracks.
2007-03-27 07:43:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
KaeZoo's right. All passenger buses are supposed to do the same thing. To listen for a train while hey are looking.
2007-03-27 12:23:10 · answer #6 · answered by bugs280 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So they can have a better view down the track at the oncoming train?
2007-03-27 07:38:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe to get a fully clear view of the tracks??
2007-03-27 07:38:14 · answer #8 · answered by just me #1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a law. They must stop and look both ways.
2007-03-29 12:22:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought it had something to do with them being required to "listen" for a train as well (?) I could be wrong.
2007-03-27 08:39:29 · answer #10 · answered by jobob 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋