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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: tolbs17 on July 27, 2019, 09:58:14 PM

Title: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 27, 2019, 09:58:14 PM
I'm just figuring out why this is the case. Because is it because of students? I get it because of seat belts, but 45 mph is too slow. Especially on freeways. They need to raise it to 55 mph or 60 mph! Don't know why this is the case.   :-/
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: webny99 on July 27, 2019, 10:27:34 PM
Since your question is specific to North Carolina (or at least I assume so, because buses in New York can and do exceed 45 mph!) it probably fits best in the Southeast regional board.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 27, 2019, 10:37:16 PM
Quote from: webny99 on July 27, 2019, 10:27:34 PM
Since your question is specific to North Carolina (or at least I assume so, because buses in New York can and do exceed 45 mph!) it probably fits best in the Southeast regional board.

So do I have to ask an administrator or moderator to move this thread to southeast?
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: webny99 on July 27, 2019, 10:38:31 PM
They probably will do it automatically when they see it, but you can send one of them a PM (private message) if you wish.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 27, 2019, 10:41:55 PM
Quote from: webny99 on July 27, 2019, 10:38:31 PM
They probably will do it automatically when they see it, but you can send one of them a PM (private message) if you wish.

Alright
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 28, 2019, 11:20:59 AM
So after the administrators and moderators were online and I'm sure they saw this thread, I think I'm going to carry on this thread and talk about why school buses only drive 45mph in North Carolina.

So I'm guessing it's because of no seatbelts or for safety reasons.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: Mapmikey on July 28, 2019, 02:31:21 PM
Activity buses can go 55 in N.C. 

Virginia and South Carolina allow 55 if the speed limit is 60 or more. Otherwise it is 45.

My vague recollection from my school days in SC (70s-80s) was that buses were limited to 35 mph.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: wxfree on July 28, 2019, 03:02:47 PM
It's the law, General Statutes Section 20-218(b): "It is unlawful to drive a school bus occupied by one or more child passengers over the highways or public vehicular areas of the State at a greater rate of speed than 45 miles per hour. It is unlawful to drive a school activity bus occupied by one or more child passengers over the highways or public vehicular areas of North Carolina at a greater rate of speed than 55 miles per hour."

Texas has a similar law, limiting the top speed of a school bus to 50, unless it's passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection, in which case it can go 60.  This is ignored all the time, as evidenced by buses keeping up with faster traffic.  School activity buses are allowed to drive at the speed limit.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: roadfro on July 28, 2019, 04:10:01 PM
Nevada has a similar law:

Quote from: Nevada Revised Statutes
NRS 484B.360  Maximum speed of school bus.  A school bus shall not exceed:
1.  A speed of 55 miles per hour when transporting pupils to and from school; or
2.  The speed limit posted by a public authority for the portion of highway being traversed when transporting pupils to and from any activity which is properly a part of a school program.

So now maybe a better question: Why do school buses have different lawful maximum speeds when transporting kids to/from school versus to/from school activities? Transporting to/from school activities isn't inherently safer in any way, other than it's possible there will be fewer kids on the bus.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: sprjus4 on July 28, 2019, 04:14:38 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on July 28, 2019, 02:31:21 PM
Virginia and South Carolina allow 55 if the speed limit is 60 or more. Otherwise it is 45.
South Carolina only allows 55 mph in a 60, 65, or 70 mph zone, though Virginia permits up to 60 mph in a 60, 65, or 70 mph zone.

QuoteThe maximum speed limit for school buses shall be 45 miles per hour or the minimum speed allowable, whichever is greater, on any highway where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less, and 60 miles per hour on all interstate highways and on other highways where the maximum speed limit is more than 55 miles per hour.
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-871/
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 28, 2019, 07:21:22 PM
Well, North Carolina is very strict on their school bus speed. And most people debate it should NOT be raised. They want it 45 mph. With any vehicle going 45 mph on a posted 70 mph is very dangerous. School buses did that before. They have to drive 45 mph no matter where they are even if they are on a freeway.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: vdeane on July 28, 2019, 08:38:02 PM
Quote from: roadfro on July 28, 2019, 04:10:01 PM
Nevada has a similar law:

Quote from: Nevada Revised Statutes
NRS 484B.360  Maximum speed of school bus.  A school bus shall not exceed:
1.  A speed of 55 miles per hour when transporting pupils to and from school; or
2.  The speed limit posted by a public authority for the portion of highway being traversed when transporting pupils to and from any activity which is properly a part of a school program.

So now maybe a better question: Why do school buses have different lawful maximum speeds when transporting kids to/from school versus to/from school activities? Transporting to/from school activities isn't inherently safer in any way, other than it's possible there will be fewer kids on the bus.
Liability?  School is mandatory, but activities require permission slips and the like.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: sprjus4 on July 28, 2019, 08:42:39 PM
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 28, 2019, 07:21:22 PM
Well, North Carolina is very strict on their school bus speed. And most people debate it should NOT be raised. They want it 45 mph. With any vehicle going 45 mph on a posted 70 mph is very dangerous. School buses did that before. They have to drive 45 mph no matter where they are even if they are on a freeway.
I'd argue there should be something in place like in Virginia... 45 mph is the maximum speed limit, but if the speed limit is 60, 65, or 70 mph, the bus is allowed to speed it up to 60 mph. That's only 10 mph under the highest speed limit as opposed to 25 mph under.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 28, 2019, 09:08:59 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 28, 2019, 08:42:39 PM
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 28, 2019, 07:21:22 PM
Well, North Carolina is very strict on their school bus speed. And most people debate it should NOT be raised. They want it 45 mph. With any vehicle going 45 mph on a posted 70 mph is very dangerous. School buses did that before. They have to drive 45 mph no matter where they are even if they are on a freeway.
I'd argue there should be something in place like in Virginia... 45 mph is the maximum speed limit, but if the speed limit is 60, 65, or 70 mph, the bus is allowed to speed it up to 60 mph. That's only 10 mph under the highest speed limit as opposed to 25 mph under.

They are fine in my opinion. It's just North Carolina that has the school bus issues. They had plans to raise the governors to 55mph back in 2013, but I think the bill failed. They should try again I have a similar thread on City-Data about this

http://www.city-data.com/forum/coastal-north-carolina/2842063-school-buses-drive-too-slow.html
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: mgk920 on July 28, 2019, 10:16:55 PM
Reason - lily-livers who think that the world will end if even a single child is propelled any faster.

:rolleyes:

Mike
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 28, 2019, 10:20:03 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on July 28, 2019, 10:16:55 PM
Reason - lily-livers who think that the world will end if even a single child is propelled any faster.

:rolleyes:

Mike

One told me the faster it goes, the more time it takes to make an emergency stop if something happens and they don't want anything to happen if you look on City-Data, most people say they don't want it raised. They want to leave it where it is because one said "You have a bunch of kids without ANY protection from an impact".
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: DJ Particle on July 29, 2019, 04:48:37 AM
Related question:  Are seat belts finally standard on school buses?  Granted I haven't been on one since about 1990, and at that time, there were still no seat belts.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: DrSmith on July 29, 2019, 06:58:31 AM
At least in Connecticut I find school buses only doing 40-45 mph on the highways like I-91 in the  morning. And I don't know how going soooo slow is safer when traffic is doing 65-75 at least. Instead the buses create a bottle neck with a busy and fairly full 3-lane highway and results in all kinds of bad behavior as all the traffic tries to pass in the 2 left lanes making it more dangerous for everyone.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: Rothman on July 29, 2019, 07:39:18 AM
Quote from: DJ Particle on July 29, 2019, 04:48:37 AM
Related question:  Are seat belts finally standard on school buses?  Granted I haven't been on one since about 1990, and at that time, there were still no seat belts.
Not everywhere.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 29, 2019, 07:47:56 AM
These types of laws, once enacted, are hard to change.

And the laws, as shown above, are ridiculous.  If a kid was going to school in a bus going 50 mph, or going on a field trip going 50 mph, the forces caused by an accident aren't going to change.  So why are two limits allowed, simply based on the reason why a kid is in a bus?  There can't be any realistic reasoning if it's supposedly about the kids safety.

Quote from: Rothman on July 29, 2019, 07:39:18 AM
Quote from: DJ Particle on July 29, 2019, 04:48:37 AM
Related question:  Are seat belts finally standard on school buses?  Granted I haven't been on one since about 1990, and at that time, there were still no seat belts.
Not everywhere.

New Jersey I believe was one of the first to require seatbelts, and recently have updated the law to require 3 point harness seatbelts.

Generally speaking, younger kids wear them.  Older kids don't.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: hotdogPi on July 29, 2019, 07:49:28 AM
I seem to remember it being 40 in MA.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: roadman on July 29, 2019, 12:19:09 PM
Quote from: 1 on July 29, 2019, 07:49:28 AM
I seem to remember it being 40 in MA.

Yes, 40 mph max - except when traveling on a limited-access highway, per MGL Chapter 90, Sec. 17.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: kphoger on July 29, 2019, 02:25:18 PM
I recall that seat belts haven't been installed in school buses because it's actually safer without them.  Every seat is padding and, in the case of a rollover or whatever, that would be a lot of seat belts that might need to be cut.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: mgk920 on July 29, 2019, 02:27:03 PM
Quote from: Rothman on July 29, 2019, 07:39:18 AM
Quote from: DJ Particle on July 29, 2019, 04:48:37 AM
Related question:  Are seat belts finally standard on school buses?  Granted I haven't been on one since about 1990, and at that time, there were still no seat belts.
Not everywhere.

When I was in school, I would have been scared witless to ride in a bus with them - the bullies would not have hesitated to use them as weapons against me.

:no:

Mike
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: Brandon on July 29, 2019, 02:50:40 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 29, 2019, 02:25:18 PM
I recall that seat belts haven't been installed in school buses because it's actually safer without them.  Every seat is padding and, in the case of a rollover or whatever, that would be a lot of seat belts that might need to be cut.

Which is one of the biggest bunches of baloney I've seen.  There's a video of a bus going out of control due to an incapacitated driver out there, and due to the lack of seat belts, one of the kids hits the ceiling of the bus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wclhDCDMzlE
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: SectorZ on July 29, 2019, 03:20:40 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 29, 2019, 02:50:40 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 29, 2019, 02:25:18 PM
I recall that seat belts haven't been installed in school buses because it's actually safer without them.  Every seat is padding and, in the case of a rollover or whatever, that would be a lot of seat belts that might need to be cut.

Which is one of the biggest bunches of baloney I've seen.  There's a video of a bus going out of control due to an incapacitated driver out there, and due to the lack of seat belts, one of the kids hits the ceiling of the bus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wclhDCDMzlE

One kid gets hurt so start doubling everyone's back-road commute times because the bus driver has to ensure every kid is belted in before pulling off? Got a fire in the bus (much more likely than a rollover) you think all those kids are going to not freak out and get those belts off in time? When you solve those two things, I'll be on board.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: jeffandnicole on July 29, 2019, 03:45:28 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 29, 2019, 02:50:40 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 29, 2019, 02:25:18 PM
I recall that seat belts haven't been installed in school buses because it's actually safer without them.  Every seat is padding and, in the case of a rollover or whatever, that would be a lot of seat belts that might need to be cut.

Which is one of the biggest bunches of baloney I've seen.  There's a video of a bus going out of control due to an incapacitated driver out there, and due to the lack of seat belts, one of the kids hits the ceiling of the bus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wclhDCDMzlE

It's actually not baloney.  School Buses are the safest vehicle to be in for kids, even without seatbelts. (Source: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Documents/2018bussir-abstract.pdf )  The high, soft seatbacks reduce whiplash and reduce the overall movement back and forth that can happen to kids...they're basically crashing into an airbag in front of them. 

Sure, you found a video of a school bus in an accident, and ONE kid in that school bus that flipped way up in the air.  What about the others on board - they didn't flip up, and they weren't wearing seatbelts either.

New Jersey started requiring shoulder harnesses after a fatal accident on I-80 when a school bus crossed 3 lanes to make an illegal U-turn, and got hit by a truck.  That prompted the call for better seatbelts, although by all accounts the 2 people killed (an adult and a child) were wearing seatbelts.  43 others survived.  What the accident should've called for is better screening of school bus drivers, which based on my travels hasn't happened as of yet.

And while every parent wants to think their kid is an angel and puts their belt on when they sit down on a school but, the reality is that's far from the truth.  Better seatbelts are only as good as the kid that actually wears them.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: wxfree on July 29, 2019, 04:04:27 PM
Quote from: roadfro on July 28, 2019, 04:10:01 PM
Nevada has a similar law:

Quote from: Nevada Revised Statutes
NRS 484B.360  Maximum speed of school bus.  A school bus shall not exceed:
1.  A speed of 55 miles per hour when transporting pupils to and from school; or
2.  The speed limit posted by a public authority for the portion of highway being traversed when transporting pupils to and from any activity which is properly a part of a school program.

So now maybe a better question: Why do school buses have different lawful maximum speeds when transporting kids to/from school versus to/from school activities? Transporting to/from school activities isn't inherently safer in any way, other than it's possible there will be fewer kids on the bus.

I would guess that it's because of the assumption that going to school isn't as far as going somewhere else.  Also, you don't make regular stops on the way to somewhere else, so the extra speed is more advantageous.

That's somewhat similar to Texas, which allows school activity buses to travel at the speed limit, but to me it seems like that's because it's a different design, like a regular passenger bus.  School buses are limited to 50 or 60 even when going somewhere else.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: US 81 on July 29, 2019, 04:29:16 PM
When worn correctly, seat belts and car seats save lives; however, seat belts can cause serious injury if they are not worn correctly.  Lap belts that ride up onto the abdomen (instead on sitting across the bones of the pelvis) cause abdominal organ ruptures with hemorrhage and/or lumbar spine injuries that may cause paraplegia. Shoulder harnesses that run across the neck can cause airway injuries or cervical spine injuries, either of which can be fatal. It's hard to have seat belts that easily adjust from kindergarten size to high school size and most kids would not reliably adjust the belts to fit themselves correctly. Therefore, instead of seat belts many decision-makers advocate the high seat-back with padding isolation. It inhibits - but does not entirely prevent - some heavy adult-sized kid from becoming a human missile that kills or injures other kids.

Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 29, 2019, 05:09:45 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 29, 2019, 02:25:18 PM
I recall that seat belts haven't been installed in school buses because it's actually safer without them.  Every seat is padding and, in the case of a rollover or whatever, that would be a lot of seat belts that might need to be cut.

If a bus ever catches on fire then yeah I'd say no seat belts. It's probably a reason why 44 states don't require them.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: 1995hoo on July 29, 2019, 05:11:45 PM
When I was a kid, a few school buses had seatbelts for a while. Instead of wearing them, we hit each other with them.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 29, 2019, 05:13:30 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on July 29, 2019, 05:11:45 PM
When I was a kid, a few school buses had seatbelts for a while. Instead of wearing them, we hit each other with them.

That's another reason why they shouldn't have seatbelts on a bus. Or, the person should just be banned from the bus altogether.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: rarnold on July 29, 2019, 05:19:23 PM
As a person who has ridden on school buses most of my life, the 40 MPH sped limit is preposterous. Yes, speed increase can lead to more accidents and more severe accidents, but if the other vehicles on the road are traveling at the posted speed limit and a bus is cruising at 40 MPH, it is also dangerous. People will pass the vehicle, and not always at safe times. In North Carolina, where the highest posted speed is 70, the bus is traveling at least 30 MPH slower than other traffic.

Allow the driver to drive at the posted speed or a lower speed if more comfortable. If the driver speeds, find a new driver or the kids can get to the bus stop 5 minutes later.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 29, 2019, 05:24:14 PM
Quote from: rarnold on July 29, 2019, 05:19:23 PM
As a person who has ridden on school buses most of my life, the 40 MPH sped limit is preposterous. Yes, speed increase can lead to more accidents and more severe accidents, but if the other vehicles on the road are traveling at the posted speed limit and a bus is cruising at 40 MPH, it is also dangerous. People will pass the vehicle, and not always at safe times. In North Carolina, where the highest posted speed is 70, the bus is traveling at least 30 MPH slower than other traffic.

Allow the driver to drive at the posted speed or a lower speed if more comfortable. If the driver speeds, find a new driver or the kids can get to the bus stop 5 minutes later.

You'll have people on a two-lane highway trying to get around the school bus. It happens constantly and there was almost a near collision when they were rushing to get around the bus.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: index on July 29, 2019, 05:41:20 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on July 29, 2019, 03:20:40 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 29, 2019, 02:50:40 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 29, 2019, 02:25:18 PM
I recall that seat belts haven't been installed in school buses because it's actually safer without them.  Every seat is padding and, in the case of a rollover or whatever, that would be a lot of seat belts that might need to be cut.

Which is one of the biggest bunches of baloney I've seen.  There's a video of a bus going out of control due to an incapacitated driver out there, and due to the lack of seat belts, one of the kids hits the ceiling of the bus.


One kid gets hurt so start doubling everyone's back-road commute times because the bus driver has to ensure every kid is belted in before pulling off? Got a fire in the bus (much more likely than a rollover) you think all those kids are going to not freak out and get those belts off in time? When you solve those two things, I'll be on board.
Plus, the kids school buses carrying vary wildly. It's common practice in my district to sit as many as four to a seat with younger kids in elementary schools. (yes, four, I myself was stuck on an overcrowded bus for ages where I had to sit in the aisle. not fun) You also have all the same reasons city buses don't have seat belts added on to that.

Even in middle school, when we were obviously a lot larger than elementary schoolers, we were often forced to sit three per seat, which meant the poor soul that sat on the outer edge was half hanging out in the aisle...Which some of the bus supervisors thought was funny. That was annoying at best. Seat belts wouldn't work for that.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 29, 2019, 10:01:01 PM
It's mostly elementary schoolers, and middle schoolers. Some high schoolers will do it also, but pretty much about 75% of the seniors have cars or their parents pick them up. So I would exclude half of high school.

Do you think special ed buses are the same thing? If they are handicapped then that means I'm pretty sure it's a bus for special needs. It's a lot more quieter and the ride is more soothing. However, it can be annoying at some times if you hear a low-functioning person go "la, la, la!".
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: sprjus4 on July 29, 2019, 10:21:50 PM
Quote from: index on July 29, 2019, 05:41:20 PM
Even in middle school, when we were obviously a lot larger than elementary schoolers, we were often forced to sit three per seat, which meant the poor soul that sat on the outer edge was half hanging out in the aisle...Which some of the bus supervisors thought was funny. That was annoying at best. Seat belts wouldn't work for that.
I've had some bus drivers where they aren't even paying attention, and I'll just sit on the floor, especially in the back of the bus. It's better than being half in the seat, half over air. I can't count the amount of times I've had to sit 3 to a seat, never 4 to a seat though.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on July 31, 2019, 12:10:14 AM
This is a perfect example why seat belts shouldn't be allowed on school buses!!! If this happens, then you will probably be dead!!! I want those kids to be safe. I rather prefer accidents over fires like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMR0hNkrSTg&t=79s
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on October 02, 2019, 05:03:36 PM
Also, forgot to say that they are banned from expressways if they are carrying kids on there too.

Quotebans them from expressways if they're carrying students.

Source:
https://www.wral.com/school-bus-speed-limit-weighed/12243462/
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on May 28, 2021, 04:07:45 PM
Time to speed up the school buses. I've seen some drive on the highway here and it's a pain in the ass getting around them.

Speed it up to 55 or 60 mph.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: ran4sh on May 28, 2021, 06:06:36 PM
Quote from: wxfree on July 28, 2019, 03:02:47 PM
It's the law, General Statutes Section 20-218(b): "It is unlawful to drive a school bus occupied by one or more child passengers over the highways or public vehicular areas of the State at a greater rate of speed than 45 miles per hour. It is unlawful to drive a school activity bus occupied by one or more child passengers over the highways or public vehicular areas of North Carolina at a greater rate of speed than 55 miles per hour."

Texas has a similar law, limiting the top speed of a school bus to 50, unless it's passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection, in which case it can go 60.  This is ignored all the time, as evidenced by buses keeping up with faster traffic.  School activity buses are allowed to drive at the speed limit.

Interesting, why would a distinction be made between "school bus" and "activity bus" if they both are transporting children?

Quote from: tolbs17 on May 28, 2021, 04:07:45 PM
Time to speed up the school buses. I've seen some drive on the highway here and it's a pain in the ass getting around them.

Speed it up to 55 or 60 mph.

Or just set a minimum speed limit on the freeway to be higher than the bus speed limit. That would then require the bus to use non-freeways.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: Scott5114 on May 28, 2021, 06:15:46 PM
Quote from: ran4sh on May 28, 2021, 06:06:36 PM
Interesting, why would a distinction be made between "school bus" and "activity bus" if they both are transporting children?

Activity buses do not have to stop frequently, nor do they let off passengers in places that are exposed to traffic (usually in a parking lot at either the final destination, or an intermediary stop at a gas station or restaurant or the like). Depending on the regularity of use, a school might own specific activity buses equipped with more amenities to make longer trips more comfortable (some rich high schools around here have buses similar to charter buses that they transport their football teams in).

Quote from: ran4sh on May 28, 2021, 06:06:36 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on May 28, 2021, 04:07:45 PM
Time to speed up the school buses. I've seen some drive on the highway here and it's a pain in the ass getting around them.

Speed it up to 55 or 60 mph.

Or just set a minimum speed limit on the freeway to be higher than the bus speed limit. That would then require the bus to use non-freeways.

It might be better to just write an exemption into the bus speed law for controlled-access highways. A bus on a freeway isn't going to be stopping and letting off passengers, so it doesn't really pose any more of a problem than a semi or something traveling the same speed.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: ran4sh on May 28, 2021, 06:21:07 PM
My opinion is that politicians should not determine speed limits, including in this case (school buses).
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: Dirt Roads on May 29, 2021, 08:45:54 PM
Quote from: ran4sh on May 28, 2021, 06:06:36 PM
Interesting, why would a distinction be made between "school bus" and "activity bus" if they both are transporting children?

Quote from: Scott5114 on May 28, 2021, 06:15:46 PM
Activity buses do not have to stop frequently, nor do they let off passengers in places that are exposed to traffic (usually in a parking lot at either the final destination, or an intermediary stop at a gas station or restaurant or the like). Depending on the regularity of use, a school might own specific activity buses equipped with more amenities to make longer trips more comfortable (some rich high schools around here have buses similar to charter buses that they transport their football teams in).

Note that school buses in North Carolina are technically owned by the state (North Carolina Department of Public Instruction), although it appears that they are purchased locally in most cases.  The activity buses are purchased and owned by each of the school districts.  It is my understanding that local school districts often set up different styles of activity buses depending on what type/quantity of gear they are planned to carry.  However, this is sometimes problematic for smaller/poorer districts that cannot afford to modify the available off-the-shelf designs for specific needs.  Anyhow, because of the speed limit requirement it is quite common for most larger school districts to utilize activity buses for short-distance applications where a standard school bus would suffice.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on May 29, 2021, 11:34:05 PM
And back up traffic on two-lane highways.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: In_Correct on June 03, 2021, 12:53:02 AM
The School Buses need to drive slowly to come to a complete and frequent stops.

An exception should be made if they are on a Superhighway.

School Buses do not need Seat Belts for students. Handles such as on many other forms of Mass Transit are better instead.
Title: Re: In North Carolina, why do school buses drive 45 mph?
Post by: tolbs17 on June 03, 2021, 07:46:50 AM
Quote from: In_Correct on June 03, 2021, 12:53:02 AM
School Buses do not need Seat Belts for students. Handles such as on many other forms of Mass Transit are better instead.
Agree with you there.