1998 Minnesota Statutes

     169.442 School bus signals. 

    Subdivision 1.    Signals required.  A type A, B, C, or 
 D school bus must be equipped with a stop signal arm, prewarning 
 flashing amber signals, and flashing red signals. 

    Subd. 2. Repealed, 1994 c 647 art 12 s 43 

    Subd. 3. Repealed, 1994 c 647 art 12 s 43 

    Subd. 4.    Optional warning system.  In addition to 
 equipment required under subdivision 1, and notwithstanding 
 section 169.64, a school bus may be equipped with a 
 driver-activated, exterior student-control, warning system.  The 
 driver shall activate this system when the use of the stop 
 signal arm and flashing red signals is required under section 
 169.443, subdivision 1. 

    Subd. 5.    White strobe lamps on certain buses 
 transporting children.  Notwithstanding sections 169.55, 
 subdivision 1; 169.57, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), or other 
 law to the contrary, a school bus that is subject to and 
 complies with the equipment requirements of subdivision 1 and 
 section 169.441, subdivision 1, or a Head Start bus that is not 
 a type III bus defined in section 169.01, subdivision 6, may be 
 equipped with a 360-degree, flashing strobe lamp that emits a 
 white light with a flash rate of 60 to 120 flashes a minute.  
 The lamp may be used only as provided in this subdivision.  

    The strobe lamp must be of a double flash type certified to 
 the commissioner of public safety by the manufacturer as being 
 weatherproof and having a minimum effective light output of 200 
 candelas as measured by the Blondel-Rey formula.  The lamp must 
 be permanently mounted on the longitudinal center line of the 
 bus roof not less than two feet nor more than seven feet forward 
 of the rear roof edge.  It must operate from a separate switch 
 containing an indicator lamp to show when the strobe lamp is in 
 use.  

    The strobe lamp may be lighted only when atmospheric 
 conditions or terrain restrict the visibility of school bus 
 lamps and signals or Head Start bus lamps and signals so as to 
 require use of the bright strobe lamp to alert motorists to the 
 presence of the school bus or Head Start bus.  A strobe lamp may 
 not be lighted unless the school bus or Head Start bus is 
 actually being used as a school bus or Head Start bus. 

    HIST: 1991 c 277 s 4; 1994 c 603 s 6; 1994 c 647 art 12 s 16