SCHOOL BUSES: REQUIRE USE OF FLASHING RED LIGHTS
House Bill 6334
Sponsor: Rep. Larry Julian
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 9-23-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6334 AS INTRODUCED 9-18-02
House Bill 6334 would amend the Pupil Transportation Act to repeal section 19 of the act, which requires school buses to have a system of both red and amber flashing signal lights (wired so that the amber lights are energized manually, and the red lights are energized automatically, however enabling the amber lights to be automatically de-energized when the bus service door is opened).
In addition, the bill would eliminate all references to section 19 that are found within section 55 of the act. In particular, section 55 specifies that if the students who ride a school bus are required to cross the roadway, then the driver of a school bus that is equipped with red and amber alternately flashing overhead lights must activate the lights not less than 200 feet before the stop, stop the bus as far to the right side of the road as is possible to ensure safety, deactivate the amber lights, and then activate the overhead red lights while receiving or discharging students. Before resuming motion, the driver must deactivate these lights and allow the congested traffic to disperse. The law specifies that the deactivation of the lights is the signal for stopped traffic to proceed. Under the bill, these requirements would be eliminated.
Finally, the bill would require all school buses (regardless of their date of manufacture) to be equipped with flashing red lights on the front and rear of the bus, and alternately flashing stoplights operated by a manual switch (that is not connected to the brakes or the service door). Currently the law specifies that this provision applies only to school buses manufactured before October 1, 1990 that have not been retrofitted to meet the requirements of section 19.
MCL 257.1817 and 257.1855
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.