1 _____ - - - _______ When is a school bus a crosswalk? School is backin full swing and those big chrome, yellow school buses are back out on the roads. Most motorists are generally aware that they are required to stop when approaching a school bus with its red signal lights fiashing. But, very few of us kno w exactly what the law requires, and based on the commenta of school bus driv- ers, too many of us do not ap- preciate the potential danger of passing a stopped school bus. In Ontario, when approach- ing a stopped school bus with its red signal lights flashing, the Highiway Traffic Act re- quires: * ail motorists, in ail lanes, travelling in the same direc- tion as the bus (i.e. approach- ing the bus from the rear) miust stop at least 20 metres (65 feet) behind the school bus; * ail motorists, in ail lanes, travelling in the opposite direc- tion to the bus (iLe. approach- ing the bus from the front) must aiso stop unless the two directions of travel are separ- ated by a median strip. The Highway Act clearly de- fines a "median stri p" as a physical barrier suceh as a RANDY MCLEAN IS A» PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WHO SPECIALIZES IN TRAFFIO SAFETY. .hk. MoLean has reviewed thousands of Individuel mo)tor vehicle accident reports and his close working relationships with police agencies, governmrrents, safety associations, industry anid-the public, have given him a true overview of traffic safety issues, problemrs and solutions ln Canada. guardrail, or an unpaved strip of ground such as a wide grass boulvard. A painted centreline, or crosshatched pavement markings are not considered to be a mecian strip. Traffic in -both directions must corne. to a stop where only these, or sim- ,ilar paint markings separate the two directions of travel. When required to stop, you may flot proceed until the school bus inoves or the red signal lights have stopped flashing. 1 If you think that some school bus drivers begin ta, flash their lights too soon and wait too -long te turn them off, you should also know that, except when the bus stop ie located at a signalized inter- section, school bus drivers are required by law te: * begin flashing their red signal lights.befôre they corne te a full stop; * extend the,"Stop" sign arrn attached to the side of the bus as soon as the bus is stopped; *continue te operate. the flashing red signal lights and display the "Stop" sign until al1 p assengers have boarded or lef the bus; and, * where there is no median strip, display the flashing lights and "Stop" sign until al passengers leaving the bus and wanting to cross the road have completed the crossing. Now that. we. understand the law, it is easy to see that the school bus with its flashing red signal lights and extendable "lStop"f sign arm is actually a travelling school crosswalk. So when approaching a stop- ped school bus, remember - a child may be about te cross the road in front of your vehicle. The shape and size of the school bus itself may prevent you from seeing children at the side of the road, and don't rely on them te see you. To a small child, a friend or parent. waiting on the far side of the street may be an irresistable temptation to run to without looldng for oncoming traffic. Besides - we adults taught them that crosswalks and school buses are safe places. We alan, teach them about the dangers of crossing roads, but fortunately, rnost children have no ability at ail to comn- prehend how much pain a speeding car can cause - we adults do. Children will not always act responsibly, they reiy on us. Drive accordingly - drive safe- ly. 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