Sgt. Curt S. Mowers of the Minnesota State Patrol frequently receives questions from motorists about rules of the road. Sgt. Mowers was recently asked if there is a new law requiring crossing signs on school buses.
Mowers would like the public to know that there is a new law requiring a “crossing control arm” on school buses. Mowers said this is different from the stop arm/stop sign that extends from the left side of the bus. This crossing control arm, or gate, must extend from the front right corner of the front bumper and must do so automatically when the bus stops with red signal lights in use. The purpose is to prevent children from crossing in front of the bus in the zone where the driver cannot see them.
As of January 1, 2013, newly manufactured school buses in Minnesota must come with the crossing arm/gate. “However,” Mowers said, “If you start taking notice, you will see that many of the older buses have been retrofitted with these devices. The appearance of the arm itself may differ but the specs and use must be the same.”
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