School bus blowing through yellow/red light?

Question

As the parent of a toddler, I am becoming more critical of the school buses.

In our neighborhood they are big taillgaters and often drive around 40 on a street with a limit of 25 mph. We live on a street FILLED with young children, and that terrifies me.

Yesterday I saw 3 buses floor it through a yellow light. Both were turning, and both hit the yellow light at the end of the cycle. I was floored.

I sadly didn't get the number of any of them--I've already told the district, but they refuse to believe me as I do not know their numbers or have video proof.

Is this against the policy?

As of right now I do NOT want my child to ride the school bus!

Answer 1

Yes it is against most bus policies to run yellow lights and especially red ones. However, you don't know their conditions either. For example, maybe the driver was already approaching the intersection at speed when the light turned. There are only 2 choices, go through, knowing it's safe, no one or kids around or, slam the brakes and send the kids on board flying, risking injuries. Decisions must be made and right or wrong, there will always be critics. Before you complain, give them a little shred of dignity. Now if they blow through a red light, that's another story entirely.

Answer 2

Yes it is against their policy and you should notify the school district of this situation and they will put a supervisor in that location and the problem will be taken care of very quick.

Answer 3

I'm sure this has to be against their policy.  Next time though you'll be on the alert to get the bus numbers.  Make sure to note the intersection and the time.  If your cell phone has video, whip that sucker out and tape them.  I myself don't see it very often, but when I do it really bothers me too.

Answer 4

I work as a part-time chauffeur, driving all kinds of super-stretch limos and here's what we're told:

1. You must maintain control of the vehicle at all times.

2. Yellow lights mean, slow down and stop, if you can. The rule of thumb is to avoid hard stops or jamming the brakes, which may causing passenger injuries or loss of control of the vehicle. If you're approaching an intersection at the speed limit and the light turns yellow, look at the BIG picture and make a determination. Only go through if you CANNOT stop safely.

3. Stop at ALL red lights.

4. Obey all traffic signs and traffic control devices.

5. Stop at all railroads crossings.

6. No alcohol is ever tolerated.

7. Obey all police officer instructions.

8. Obey local speed limits.

Of course, there are a ton more rules, but the bottom line is no one should just blow through an intersection, unless it poses a safety threat. I imagine these rules also apply to school buses and school bus drivers. Don't be so quick to file a complaint until you have both sides of the story.

Answer 5

I would think they are more careful. The companies are stricter so you could find some numbers and talk to them about it. Use the phone book.

Answer 6

I am shocked that they did not take you seriously.  My mother is in charge of our local school bus department and I have been around buses since I was born.  She has always taken every caller seriously and investigated herself or had the driver investigated.  Usually a supervisor would ride with the reported driver for at least a week to correct mistakes and give advise.  Some drivers have even been let go as a result.  The district should know or be able to look into which drivers take the particular route that you are having issues with and be able to reprimand those drivers, or have a meeting with everyone.  If you get no where talk to the superintendant of the school and dont give up until you get ahold of him.  Contact the school board, and talk with some other parents in the area that can back you up if needed.  You should get somewhere, issues like yours are not taken lightly where I'm from.

Oh and to answer your last question yes it is against policy most schools are required to follow through and check up on every complaint

Answer 7

I have been a promoter of School Buss safety for 10 years. I have a chance to motivate and teach 10,000 drivers per year.  Some people are worried about seat belts and I feel that is a NOT proven safety issue but bus drivers are!

Like you, I see the Bus drivers violating everything!  We had one bus stop on the R/R tracks here and because of the bus drivers actions many children were either killed or injured; and some for life!

So my program is to have 4 signs on every school bus with a

central 800 number and the bus #.  It would go like this 1-800-HAI-DYCD #000

It would be reported to a (central) National or State level Insurance watchdog group or other safety group(s).

The acronym clue is; How Am I Driving Your Child Dren

Bus # 000

Since I am The Nation's National Safety teacher winner for 2003 and 2006, please feel free to use my ideas and force the issue in the news, politics, school bus Insurance companies and the school boards.

I love kids and I hope it works for you and them. Go for it!