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Why do School Buses stop at rail Road Tracks?

it just seems a little dangerous, although its done for precautions.

17 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    because it's the law

  • 1 decade ago

    School buses stop at railroad crossings to veiw whether or not a train is approaching it is a safety precaution. There is nothing dangerous about it unless, they actually stop on the tracks. Think about it what if the signals and signs are not working correctly and a train is near by, would you rather the train just take it's chances or STOP! to be safe. I can't believe you asked this question, but I hope you have a better understanding.

  • 1 decade ago

    Because trains go FAST and busses do not.

    Plus if it breaks down, so long and so full of kids, ick.

    Trains have been known to come up so fast no one saw them coming. So bus drivers must pull up, open the door (by law!) and not only look but listen for a train. Then they cross the tracks. If a train comes, quickly, there is little time to hurl a long heavy bus out of the way. And busses are used for years and years, unlike most zippy cars that are replaced more often.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    For safety reasons, obviously. Although the chances of accident may be low, the consequences of even a minor incident are so great that extreme caution are necessary.

    If you consider the chance of faulty crossing signals (greater than you'd like to think), the possibility of limited visibility (lots of windows but also lots of heads in the way, just to name one) and most definitely, the level of noise and distraction created by all the little darlings you're trying to protect, it is essential that they stop. As a driver waiting behind them in traffic for their constant stops, it may get frustrating at times, but it is a small price to pay for the greater safety that it creates for everyone.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    have you not seen the BBC/National Rail video of a people carrier getting hit by a train? Watch it, and maybe you'll understand why bus drivers don't want to get stuck on the tracks in front of a train.

    Source(s): Just search "top gear train" on YouTube.
  • Dale D
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    They stop and open the door so they can see better. There is a giant blindspot where the door is, and if the bus was noisy the driver could not hear a train coming. This insures they are extremely careful at train crossings.

  • Jo
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    No danger, they need to get a good look both ways down the tracks. If then it is clear, they have plenty of time to cross the tracks.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    School buses stop before crossing railroad crossings for safety reasons. Not all states have laws that require buses to stop before crossing railroad crossings and in those states buses do not stop.

  • 1 decade ago

    it is an ICC regulation all the buses dangerous and explosive material to stop 15feet before the railroad tracks..

  • 1 decade ago

    its the law for all buses as well as gasoline tanker trucks to

    stop at all RR xings -its manily done for safety..

    as not all RR xing have flashing lights or they could be broken and a train could by

    remember anytime is Train time

  • 1 decade ago

    There is a VERY small (maybe one in a million) chance that the signal and arms are malfunctioning, and train is bearing down on the bus. Would YOU want them to take any chances if YOUR kid was on that bus?

    THAT'S WHY!

    (also, the law requires it)

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