School Bus Hire Sydney

Bus Flashing Lights

Fact:

• NSW has the largest bus fleets in Australia
• Research highlighted a need to increase motorists’ awareness and compliance with road rules around bus flashing lights
• All motorists must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash. Lights flash on the front and back of buses when the bus is picking up or setting down school children.

Since July 2018, bus flashing lights messaging has been incorporated into the wider School Zones campaign at the beginning of each school term

All motorists should be aware of a school zone and look out for children who are crossing the road or waiting to cross. Lights flash on school buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. By law, a driver must not overtake or pass a bus with flashing lights at more than 40km/h.

Lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors open, and they keep flashing for about 20 seconds after the doors close. Children are most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus.

Young children are often unpredictable in their decisions and movements. They are still developing the skills that help them to judge the direction of sound and the speed, distance of vehicles and general road safety rules.

We know that because of their sheer size and mass, buses can cause severe outcomes for other road users in an accident.  Motorists can help reduce the risk of a crash and keep children safe by:

1. Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing
2. Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
3. Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic

Rural and regional areas

1. Motorists must take extra care when driving past bus stops or along bus routes in rural and regional areas. Be aware of children crossing the road and slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash. A stationary bus can impede your view of children near the bus.

 

Motorists

• School zones are soon/now back in force. Reduced speed limits and additional demerit points apply.
• You must also slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash.
• Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children.
• You must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing lights.
• You can help keep children safe by:

1. Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones
2. Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing
3. Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
4. Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

Parents

• Parents have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads.
• Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop. Remind your children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road.

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History:

In 1995 Dr Alec Fisher conducted a review of school bus warning systems. (ESV paper) One of the main conclusions was that the yellow turn signals being used on school buses at the time were woefully inadequate for traffic on high-speed roads on bright days, when their typical signal range was around 50 metres. He recommended much brighter lights be used and showed that the lights in use on school buses in the USA were suitable. Nothing changed! Tasmania introduced bright lights on its school buses in 1996. The Draft National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual, published by the NRTC in 2001, had this note: “Note: for optimum signal range in bright daylight the on-axis intensity is required to be no less than 1500cd. This is about six times brighter than typical turn signals.” Several Australian States and Territories picked up these requirements, which were then included in the National Regulations.

 

Sydney Charter Bus provides school bus hire to local schools, daycare centres and universities.

Be Bus Aware: Bus flashing lights: Slow down to 40km/h.