Why do buses have to stop at railroad crossings?

Question

I know its for safety, but isn't it better to keep going then to have to start going again after you stop?

Answer 1

Having buses stop at grade crossings assures all that the driver had time to look for an oncoming train.    Many drivers also have to open the doors and listen for one,  whether required to do so by state laws or company policy.  

Stopping at the crossing also assures the bus will not be going fast enough to bounce people out of seats or damage the vehicle.  

Trucks carrying hazardous materials may also stop at grade crossings.

As to how far back,   I prefer 50 ft or so.    The motion of passing trains can play tricks on your eyes,   leaves more room to stop again if needed,   and I have enough time to get a gear before actually getting on the tracks.

Answer 2

Because trains can't stop and watch out for buses...... I am just kidding...you have a point though. Good question.

Answer 3

The same reason that tanker trucks and trucks carrying hazerdous materials must stop at train tracks. Safety. It is an extra measure of acknowledgement (yes, I am aware that I am at a r/r crossing. I am stopping to acknowledge that and to demonstrate that I am being careful and am making absolutely certain that the way is clear.)

It is an extra measure of accountability and safety. Buses usually carry a lot of people. A massive tragedy affecting many people and many people's families if the get plowed by a train. A train hitting a tanker truck of fuel? Of chlorine? Bad day. Drivers also aren't as likely to try to "beat" a train from a stopped position as they are if they have some rolling momentum. Takes the temptation away.

Answer 4

They carry passengers......

Answer 5

Most buses are longer, heavier and carry more people than personal passenger vehicles...The suspension on most buses can be very rough which causes the bus driver to slow down to cross bumpy tracks...Buses are very slow to accelerate and there were some very tragic collisions between buses and trains in the past...The rule then came out that all buses must stop at rail crossings.

Answer 6

By rule, everyone including passanger cars should treat the crossing as Stop signs. However 99.99% of us do not do it.

Now as for the buses and trucks, they are by law has to stop.I believe it is part of the truck license.

Answer 7

No, It's safer to stop, even if your in a regular car I think people should stop, cuz those lights & bars don't always work, to tell you to stop because of a train coming!

Answer 8

Because they are carrying many passengers. The passengers should be quiet so the bus can hear a train. It's to prevent tragedy & I'm glad they do.

Answer 9

I agree it seems a bit silly.  To slow down yes, but to stop entirely means you're trying to get the bus, gasoline truck etc. from zero to across the crossing before a train can come.  Legally you're not allowed to shift gears in a railroad crossing, so you're stuck in first gear the whole way.

Regular cars do not have to stop at railroad crossings.  They do however have to slow enough to look and listen for a train going as fast as 110mph, unless there's automatic flashers and even then it's a good idea.

Answer 10

Thats a good queastion...cause my bus driver she stops and opens the door but it defeats the hole purpose cause the front of the bus is already on the tracks

Answer 11

its the law and they have many passengers.

Answer 12

I drive a school bus and state and federal laws say you will stop at all rail road crossings. The way I was taught to do it was. 200 feet before the tracks, turn off your master switch which controls your red and yellow warning lites. Turn on your hazard 4 way flashing lites, ask your students to be quiet, stop around 10 to 15 feet before the tracks, open your doors and listen and look for a train, make sure you have enough room for your bus on the other side of the tracks, make sure that there is not another C.D.L. vehicle on the tracks when you start to cross, 2 C.D.L. vehicles cannot be on the tracks at the same time, cross the tracks and when you are clear and safely across you turn off your hazard 4 way flashers and turn your master switch back on. You have to do this even if you do not have students on the bus. If you have a standard shift, you do not shift gears while on the tracks. It is all for saftey of the students. Its a good law.