DRIVING THE INDUSTRY SINCE 1991
Because of this, crossing arms obviously are not a necessity,” he explained. Christensen pointed out that Iowa,
meanwhile, only requires the devices on non-Type D, transit-style buses. “Our methodology is simply (that) without a hood, the Type D driver has a clear view of the front of the bus and, thus, can see any students who may be in front of the bus, making the crossing arm less necessary,” he said. Christensen and Mike Kenney, Region
MAX CHRISTENSEN, NASDPTS
5 coordinator for the Washington State Department of Education, agreed that the issue hasn’t been discussed much in school transportation circles for quite some time. Christensen also conducted a quick survey of peers, receiving 31 responses. Sixteen re- sponding states mandate arms on all buses, 11 have no requirements and four require them on some buses. “Tis is the first time I’ve heard anyone talking about it for years. Obviously, it’s a best practice and 11 states have adopted it,” said Kenney, who also serves as chair of the School Bus Body and Chassis Commit- tee for the National Congress on School
Transportation, which produces the national school bus specifications guidebook every five years and will meet again next May. He said it’s possible for NCST to put
crossing gates to a two-thirds majority vote to recommend the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration take up rulemaking, but it has yet to put those wheels in motion. Like others, Kenney cited existing mandates and broad voluntary usage of the gates as likely reasons for not proceeding. Washington state mandated the crossing control gates in 1991, ending debate there about their life-saving value. “It’s hard to tell how many lives they’ve saved, but it’s a lot,” he added.
NHTSA WEIGHS IN A statement from NHTSA noted that the
agency is “committed to keeping children and teens safe as they travel to and from school.” “U.S. school buses are required to meet
more stringent safety standards than any other type of bus or motor vehicle. And, although no mode of transportation is completely without risk, school buses continue to be the safest way to transport
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