§ 31-23-53. School bus public address sound system.
(a) Every school bus placed in service shall be equipped with a public address sound system
which shall be audible from a distance of not less than fifty feet (50′) and shall
have a minimum of one speaker mounted outside the bus and a minimum of one speaker
mounted inside the bus. The public address system and the method of installation shall
be approved and certified by the division of motor vehicles. This system shall be
inspected at all regularly scheduled inspections.
(b) When the driver of the school bus has picked up students, the bus will remain s
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§ 31-23-53. School bus public address sound system.
(a) Every school bus placed in service shall be equipped with a public address sound system
which shall be audible from a distance of not less than fifty feet (50′) and shall
have a minimum of one speaker mounted outside the bus and a minimum of one speaker
mounted inside the bus. The public address system and the method of installation shall
be approved and certified by the division of motor vehicles. This system shall be
inspected at all regularly scheduled inspections.
(b) When the driver of the school bus has picked up students, the bus will remain stopped,
with red lights flashing, until all students are seated. Prior to any student being
permitted to disembark from the bus, the driver shall look to see that all approaching
traffic has stopped and observed the flashing red signal. After students have disembarked
from the bus, the driver shall allow ample time for the students to clear the bus
area before closing the doors and then, after remaining stopped for approximately
ten (10) seconds, the driver shall announce through the public address system that
the bus will proceed.
(c) The department of elementary and secondary education shall require a demonstration
of the operation of the public address system at each school. The demonstration shall
take place at least two (2) times per year, one of which shall take place during the
month of September.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to school buses used exclusively for
the transportation of students receiving special education pursuant to chapter 24 of title 16; provided, the school buses without the inside and outside speakers may not be used
for students not receiving special education, except for transportation before or
after normal school hours. This provision shall be limited to secondary education
students.