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the general rules
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the school bus rules

school zones
city buses with children
disabled buses
hazardous weather
railroad crossings

crossing guards
interesting facts
school bus equipment

criminal offenses

The Awesome Power of Crossing Guards.

A crossing guard is a person who:

1. Is at least 18 years old; and

2. Is designated by a local authority to direct traffic in a school crossing zone.

School crossing guards are there for one reason: to protect our school children. The State of Texas has given school crossing guards who are performing their duties the same authority as that of police officers. Failing to obey a crossing guard in a school zone is the same as failing to obey a police officer!

Interesting Facts about School Buses.

Maximum Speed Limit. A school bus is required to follow the same speed limits as other vehicles, with the following exceptions:

1. If the bus is on a highway that is not an Interstate Highway, its maximum speed limit is 50 miles per hour.

2. If the bus is on an Interstate Highway, its maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour.

If you approach a school bus on the highway, please keep these speed limits in mind. The school bus will probably be going slower than other traffic.

Why are school buses yellow? Texas law actually requires school buses to meet many requirements and to have special features, including color. The State of Texas requires that the exterior color of a school bus be "school bus yellow". The State also requires that the lettering on a bus be decals or be painted with a "first quality black enamel" paint.

1. Be at least 18 years old.

2. Have a valid drivers' license.

3. Meet minimum medical requirements (as listed in 37 Tex. Admin. Code Section 14.12).

4. Maintain an acceptable driving record (as specified in 37 Tex. Admin. Code Section 14.14).

5. Have an acceptable criminal history record (as specified in Texas Education Code Section 22.084).

6. Possess a valid Texas School Bus Driver Training Certificate, which requires successfully completing the Texas School Bus Driver Training Program (as specified in 37 Tex. Admin. Code Section 14.34).

School Bus Equipment.

A school bus MUST be equipped with:

1. A mirror that gives the bus driver a clear view of the area in front of the bus.

2. Signal lights that : a) are mounted high on the bus and spaced out as much as possible; b) consist of four alternating flashing red lights, with 2 lights in front and 2 lights in back; and c) can be seen within 500 feet in normal sunlight.

Additionally, a school bus MAY also be equipped with:

1. Rooftop warning lamps (strobe lights).

2. Moveable stop sign arms. (These may be used only when the bus is stopped either to pick up or drop off students.)

But please do not rely only on these warning systems. The warning system may be malfunctioning or the bus driver may have made a mistake. If you see a school bus that is stopped, even if it is not flashing its lights or signaling in other ways, assume there are children loading or unloading. You might not be legally required to stop, but you should proceed with extreme caution. The safety and lives of the children depend on your extra care.