§ 31-23-42.1 - Special mirrors on school buses.
SECTION 31-23-42.1
§ 31-23-42.1 Special mirrors on schoolbuses. – Every school bus as defined in § 31-1-3(v) shall be equipped with a systemof mirrors that will give the seated driver a view of the roadway to each sideof the bus, and the area immediately in front of the front bumper, inaccordance with the following specifications:
(1) At least seven and one-half inches (7 1/2") of athirty-inch (30") long rod shall be visible to the driver, either by directview or by means of an indirect visibility system, when the rod is placedupright on the ground at any point along a traverse line extending one footfrom the forward-most point of the bus and one foot from the length and widthand rear of the bus.
(2) Every school bus owner shall maintain a measuring rodthirty inches (30") in length with distinctive identification marks located atseven and one-half inch (7 1/2") intervals for purposes of adjusting the systemof mirrors required by this section in accordance with these specifications.
(3) Other mirrors shall be located and adjustable so as tomeet their intended minimum requirements, and may be incorporated in the systemof mirrors required by this section.
(4) Each school bus shall be equipped with at least two (2)flat-surfaced rectangular exterior mirrors, one situated on each side of thebus forward of the operator and any entrance door. The reflecting surface shallnot be obscured and shall have a minimum reflective surface of fifty squareinches (50 sq. in.). The mirrors shall be firmly supported and adjustable, andshall afford the driver a clear, stable, reflected view of the road surface ateach side of the vehicle for a continual distance beginning at a point notgreater than two hundred feet (200') to the rear and continuing to the horizonwhen measured on a straight and level road.
(5) Exterior mirror mounts shall include a wide-angleadjustable convex mirror to provide a close-in field of vision to the operator.Each school bus shall be equipped with convex mirrors that shall be mounted atthe left front corner and the right front corner of the vehicle, sufficientlyadjustable to enable a seated operator to observe a reflection of the area infront of the bus where children might stand or pass.
(6) Each school bus shall be equipped with interior mirrorsthat shall afford the driver a view of the bus interior, emergency door, andthe roadway to the immediate rear of the bus. Every school bus with a seatingcapacity of sixteen (16) passengers or fewer shall have a convex rear viewmirror located near the right front corner, so as to provide the operator witha view of the ground area at the entrance door when the door is not equippedwith safety glass in the lower portion of the door.
(7) Violations of this section are subject to finesenumerated in § 31-41.1-4.