SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5149

BYSenators von Reichbauer, Talmadge and Patterson

Increasing student transportation safety.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 14, 1989; February 16, 1989; February 21, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5149 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Bender, Benitz, McMullen, Madsen, Murray, Sellar, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  February 22, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The most hazardous aspect of school transportation is when students enter or alight from buses, particularly when they must cross the road.

Current law requires all school buses to be plainly marked as such, and to be equipped with specific flashing lights to be used whenever the bus is stopped on the highway to discharge or pick up school children.  One exception to this law is that neither flashing lights nor hazard warning lights are required when the bus is stopped completely off the main traveled portion of the road and the children do not have to cross the road to their residence.  This exception has resulted in several fatalities when children unexpectedly crossed the street. 

In many suburban areas in the state elementary school students must cross busy multiple lane highways to get on or off a school bus.  Parent and safety organizations feel that the school bus transportation laws should be updated to protect the children in these instances.

Roads in the vicinity of some schools are busy arterials.  While most cities, towns and counties have posted signs prohibiting the parking of vehicles within 20 feet of crosswalks at schools, there are still some that have not.  A parked vehicle near a crosswalk obscures the view of a student pedestrian from an approaching vehicle.

SUMMARY:

A school bus must use flashing signal lights even when school children do not have to cross the roadway and when the bus is stopped completely off the main traveled portion of the road.

On multiple lane highways, the bus route shall serve each side of the road for kindergarten and elementary school students.

All school districts or local jurisdictions shall employ and compensate adult school crossing guards to adequately protect lower elementary school students who must cross heavily traveled streets on foot.

Local law enforcement agencies shall determine which sites are heavily traveled and in need of adult school crossing guards.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A school bus shall be required to actuate the hazard warning lamps when it is stopped completely off the main traveled portion of the roadway and when school children do not have to cross the roadway. 

On multiple lane highways the bus route shall serve each side of the road for students preschool through grade six so the children do not have to cross the road, unless there is a traffic signal or adult crossing guard within 500 feet of the bus stop to assist in crossing.

Definitions of "main traveled portion of a roadway" and "multiple lane roadway" are set forth.

On a multiple lane highway the driver of a vehicle does not have to stop for a school bus coming from the opposite direction while the bus is receiving or discharging children.

Local jurisdictions shall not permit cars to park within 20 feet of crosswalks or within 20 feet of all intersections involving an arterial street adjacent to a school.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 24, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator von Reichbauer, Sponsor; Marilyn Garlock, parent; Mieko Harper, parent; Don Carnahan, Superintendent of Public Instruction's Office; Fred Rivara, Washington State Medical Association