U.S. Department

of Transportation

Federal Railroad

Administration

 www.dot.gov

 

School Bus Drivers

Always Expect A Train!

Recent News:

Two Students Die in School Bus Collision with Train

BUFFALO, Mont. -- (March 10, 1998) A freight train struck a school bus at 

a crossing here early today, killing two children and injuring four people. The 

two children were brothers. Investigators said the collision, the resulting injuries 

and deaths were all preventable.

The incident in Montana was the second crash involving a school bus hitting a 

train at a crossing over the past few weeks; in February, a school bus collided 

with a freight train in Stinton, Texas, injuring 20. This spring, the U.S. 

Department of Transportation, in partnership with Operation Lifesaver, Inc., 

and the pupil transportation industry, will launch a public awareness campaign 

to educate school bus drivers across the nation about grade crossing safety.

Did you know—

 < Nearly every 115 minutes, someone in America is hit by a train.

 < People are 40 times more likely to die when involved in a collision with a 

 train than when involved in a collision with another car, bus or truck.

 < Nearly half of all collisions at railroad crossings occur where gates, lights or

 bells exist and are functioning properly.

 < Trains cannot stop quickly or steer out of the way—An average train of 

 6,000 tons traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a mile or more to stop. 

Life Saving Facts for School Bus Drivers:

Crossing Tracks Safely

 Try to plan your route so you do not cross any railroad tracks.

 As you approach the crossing, slow down and test your brakes.

 Stop so the front bumper is no closer to the track than 15 feet and 

 no farther than 50 feet. The train is wider than the tracks, and you 

 must be able to see if the track is clear.
More Life Saving Facts 

for School Bus Drivers at Crossings:

 Keep your foot on the brake so you can't move or be shoved into 

 the path of a train.

 Open the driver's window and the service door to check if a train is 

 approaching.

 Turn off radios and signal for the students to be quiet.

 Start across when you are sure you don't see a train or hear a warning 

 whistle.

 Before moving, close the driver's window and the service door.

 Never stop on the tracks or back up. Look beyond the tracks to be sure 

 the containment area is large enough. Be sure the rear bumper can clear 

 the tracks at least 15 feet.

 Never change gears on the tracks—always use the lowest possible gear 

 which allows you to cross without shifting.

 Never pass on the tracks.

 If the gate comes down after you have started across, drive through it 

 even if it means breaking the gate—the gate is designed to break.

 If your bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks, immediately get everyone 

 off the bus. Move everyone far from the bus at an angle which is both 

 away from the tracks and toward the train. 

 Be aware of the number of tracks you will be crossing and make sure 

 no trains are approaching from either direction on other tracks.

 After a train has passed over the crossing, wait until you are able to see 

 in all directions that no other trains are approaching.

Helpful Resources:

For more lifesaving information, please contact:

Federal Railroad Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 493-6024

Federal Highway Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 366-0660

Federal Transit Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 366-2896

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 366-9550

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 537-6224

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