Federal law requires that school buses must stop at all railroad crossings within 50 feet of the nearest rail but no closer than 15 feet. Bus drivers and passengers should follow proper procedures at all times when crossing tracks.
The school bus driver should:
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Check traffic and turn on hazard lights.
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Stop at least 15 feet, but not more than 50 feet from the track.
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Turn off heaters and defrosters, open window and door, look and listen.
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Close door, recheck track(s) and proceed if safe.
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After crossing tracks, turn off hazard lights and close window; turn on heaters and defrosters.
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If you see or hear a train approaching, do not cross the tracks; shift to neutral, set the parking brake and keep firm pressure on the foot brake.
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Be sure to look carefully in both directions. Look carefully at double tracks. One train might hide another.
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Never drive onto a track until you can drive all the way across.
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Accelerate enough so that the bus does not stall on the tracks.
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Never stop the bus on the track for any reason.
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When turning near a track, a turn signal should be used instead of the hazard lights.
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For railroad crossings equipped with warning devices such as lights, bells and/or gates, always obey the signals. Never ignore railroad-crossing signals.
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If a police officer or flagman is present at the crossing, obey their directions, but be sure to make your own visual check.
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If the bus stalls while crossing the tracks, evacuate the students and move them a safe distance away from the bus as quickly as possible. Notify the school bus dispatcher of the situation. If a train is approaching, have everyone walk in the direction of the train at a 45-degree angle away from the train tracks.
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Weather conditions, such as fog, snow, rain and wind, can affect the driver 's ability to see and hear an approaching train and to determine the safety of crossing railroad tracks. Additional caution must be exercised during such conditions.
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Report malfunctioning railroad signals or hazardous railroad crossing conditions to the appropriate school transportation personnel.