[Stats. 1999, Chapter 647
(AB 1573, Strom-Martin)]

Amends Vehicle Code Section 22112

State law requires a school bus to display a flashing, red, signal-light when stopped to load and unload students. But the current law also exempts a school bus driver from the requirements at locations identified by a school district.

This legislation specifies the locations where the drivers are exempt from the requirements.

The new law also permits the California Highway Patrol to impose signal requirements at any location where the CHP determines that the activation is necessary for the safety of school pupils loading or unloading from school buses.

More specifically, Section 22112 of the Vehicle Code is amended to eliminate the requirement of flashing, red lights on school buses when stopped to load or unload students at any of the following locations:

• School bus loading zones on or adjacent to school grounds or during an activity trip, if the school bus is lawfully parked
• Where the school bus is disabled due to mechanical breakdown
• Where pupils require assistance to board or leave the school bus
• Where the roadway surface on which the bus is stopped is partially or completely covered by snow or ice and requiring traffic to stop would pose a safety hazard
• On a state highway with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher where the school bus is completely off the main traveled portion of the highway
• Any location determined by a school district, with the approval of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to present a traffic or safety hazard

The other major change to Vehicle Code Section 22112 relates to the locations where traffic is controlled by an official traffic control signal. "Where pupils, for the purpose of loading or unloading, will be crossing the highway or private road on which the school bus is stopped, the flashing red, signal-light system shall be activated for only the loading and unloading process. Students loading or unloading the school bus shall use the official traffic control signal to cross the street."