46.2-1090 - Warning devices on school buses; other buses; use thereof; penalties.
§ 46.2-1090. Warning devices on school buses; other buses; use thereof;penalties.
Every bus used for the principal purpose of transporting school childrenshall be equipped with a warning device of such type as may be prescribed bythe State Board of Education after consultation with the Superintendent ofState Police. Such a warning device shall indicate when such bus is either(i) stopped or about to stop to take on or discharge children, the elderly,or mentally or physically handicapped persons or (ii) stopped or about tostop for another such bus, when approaching from any direction, that isstopped or about to stop to take on or discharge any such persons. Suchwarning device shall be used and in operation for at least 100 feet beforeany proposed stop of such bus if the lawful speed limit is less thanthirty-five miles per hour, and for at least 200 feet before any proposedstop of such bus if the lawful speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour ormore.
For any new bus placed into service on or after July 1, 2007, such warningdevices, at a minimum, shall include a nonsequential system of red trafficwarning lights, a warning sign with flashing lights, and a crossing controlarm such that when the bus door is opened, the red warning lights, warningsign with flashing lights, and crossing control arm are automaticallyactivated.
Failure of a warning device to function on any school bus shall not relieveany person operating a motor vehicle from his duty to stop as provided in §§46.2-844 and 46.2-859.
Any person operating such bus who fails or refuses to equip such vehiclebeing driven by him with such equipment, or who fails to use such warningdevices in the operation of such vehicle shall be guilty of a Class 3misdemeanor.
Transit buses used to transport school children in the City of Hampton may beequipped with an advisory sign that extends from the left side of the bus anddisplays the words: "CAUTION-STUDENTS." Such sign may be equipped with notmore than two warning lights of a type approved for use by the Superintendentof State Police.
(Code 1950, § 22-280; 1956, c. 213; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-287; 1960, c. 156;1970, c. 521; 1975, c. 633; 1982, c. 681; 1989, c. 727; 1995, c. 106; 1996,c. 512; 2007, c. 421.)