School is back in

Bus drivers in our area are NOT allowed EVER to 'pull over and let traffic by' too dangerous.
and yes I took the training- never ever pull over .
period
be patient and wait ,we are all off the road in a hour or two.

 

Only if within 400 feet of a controlled intersection ,then overheads are not allowed.
This varies from state to state

 

$2500 in Ontario if you pass a bus with overheads on.

 

Uh-huh. And I'm sure you have angels driving up there. Unfortunately, we have AHOLES driving down here, and if they don't go ahead and pass the bus while it is stopped, then they will pass the bus on a blind hill or curve that is double yellow lined. So you tell me which is more dangerous: Getting the bus off the road, and holding the kids until traffic has cleared, then activating the overheads and letting them out, then once they are clear, killing the overheads and waiting for built up traffic to pass? Or blocking the road so no one can get past, then continuing on with your route, blocking the road at every stop. I am talking about a narrow two lane state highway that serves Zion National Park. A highway loaded with a mix of tourists, contractors that don't know anything except their particular line of work, and other hot headed locals who are "late to work" (because they didn't have enough brains to leave home 10 to 15 minutes earlier. And I'm talking about a stretch of +/- 20 miles.

You know it would be great if everyone used common sense, and abided by the laws. But the fact is, THEY DON'T. They are too self centered, believe "it's all about ME".

 

That may be a law/rule in Canada, here in CA and also in NV (the 2 states I know the laws regarding school buses), overhead red lights must be engaged when students are boarding or disembarking, location of the bus does not matter...parking lot, street, school yard it doesn't matter...those lights are on and flashing!

 

Big Don I understand your view.
Think about a typical school driver - 60+ blue hair ?
They just don't want her making a judgement on what should is safe to pull onto,spring time ? is the shoulder firm enough?
The easy way is just forbid it ,stay on the road , safer.A bus roll over does not bear thinking about.
Wait a hour we are all off the road ,following a bus ? Wait a bit all they do is turn, drive a bit, stop pick up and turn again- its all over by 9 o'clock.

 

All I know is this: that school bus has a lot more valuable cargo than I'll ever have. I don't need some legislation to tell me to turn up my attention level around a SB. But alas.....common sense has left the building, and the "me first" attitude has taken it's place.

 

Parkard thank-you
As a sb driver each and every kid is like my own ,you get to know them ,they tell you about their b-days and life ,we talk about their favourite things ,you miss them at the end of the year.
It incenses me to see how careless 4 wheelers are around buses ,because the kids feel safe around the bus they do scary things when they see their bus coming.
We are trained to 'time the overheads' to not make a heavy truck have to slam on the binders - to let them through- I always get a wave of thanks from trucks when I can do this (I own a Volvo 670 myself).
But there are times a 'large car' is coming while approaching a stop ,all the kids see is the buss and they start running-all they see is the bus ,they are children for gods sake,I hit the lights at the worst time and the heavy has to 'smoke-em'. Too bad
I wave a Iam sorry to the driver and wave the kids aboard ,morning guys !
The driver is fuming never knowing he was stopped for a good reason.
It is a good reason eh?

 

I wandered in here to see what was up, and this pup with a big 'AT' on its collar left here with its tail so far between it's legs it was tickling his chin. What'd y'all do to the poor noob?