Why do school buses open their door at railroad crossings?

Question

I saw a school bus stop at a railroad crossing and then open its door. I've seen this many times and wanted to know why...

Answer 1

So the driver can see clearly and hear that there are no approaching trains. By the way, the hazard lights are driver activated at the tracks not the 8-way light system.

Answer 2

It is required that a school bus stop before crossing a railroad track and that the door be opened to see in that direction because the small windows in the doors don't allow good visibility.

Answer 3

It's not a "bus driver law" it is a federal law. All commercial vehicles must stop and check before crossing railroad tracks. This applies to buses and semis.

Answer 4

This goes back to the days before exit windows. Opening the door to cross tracks also ensures that the door will not wedge shut in case a train does sneak up and hit the bus.

Answer 5

It is a bus driver law -

I have a friend that drives bus and he said it is so you can listen for a train - plus you cant always see through the tiny windows in the doors.

Answer 6

It's all about safety. If you have kids, think would you want them just crossing without making sure there's nothing coming? Also if the door is opened then the stop lights are activated letting oncoming traffic know that they are stopped thus hopefully avoiding any other collisions like rear-end....

Answer 7

Well, it is for hearing and seeing. Sometimes you can hear something coming that you can't see, and vice versa.

Answer 8

the old saying, stop look and listen. that and it turns the lights on

Answer 9

to let the train in

Answer 10

pick up ghost riders