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Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021
Div 19Warning lights and signs on buses carrying children
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Division 19—Warning lights and signs on buses carrying children
110 Application of Division 19
This Division applies to a bus that is used mainly for carrying children if the bus is fitted with warning lights after June 1999.
For warning signs and lights fitted before July 1999, see clause 114.
111 Fitting of warning lights and signs
(1) Two warning lights and a warning sign must be fitted to the front and rear of the bus.
(2) The warning lights must be fitted—
(a) on each side of, and the same distance from, the centre of the warning sign; and
(b) with the edge of the warning sign not over 100 millimetres from the nearest point on the lens of the warning lights; and
(c) with the distance between the warning lights at least 300 millimetres at the nearest point; and
(d) so no part of the bus obstructs the light displayed—
(i) 30 degrees to the left and right of the centre of each light; and
(ii) 10 degrees above and below the centre of each light.
(3) The warning lights may be on the warning sign if the words or image on the sign are not obscured.
(4) The warning lights at the same end of the bus must be fitted—
(a) at the same height; and
(b) as high as practicable; and
(c) with the lowest point on the lens of each light not lower than midway between the highest and lowest points on the body of the bus.
(5) If the centres of the warning lights are lower than 1⋅8 metres above ground level, no part of the warning lights or warning sign may be on the left of the bus.
(6) This clause applies to a bus despite any requirement of a third edition ADR.
112 Operation and performance of warning lights
(1) When operating, a warning light must display regular flashes of yellow light at a rate of at least 90, and not more than 180, flashes a minute.
(2) The warning lights at the same end of the bus must flash alternately.
(3) Unless the driver has turned the warning lights off, they must operate automatically when a door on the bus opens and for at least 10, and not more than 20 seconds after all the doors on the bus have closed.
(4) The bus must have a visible or audible signal that tells the driver when the warning lights are operating.
(5) The bus must be fitted with a switch that allows the driver to turn the warning lights off.
(6) A warning light must have—
(a) an effective lit lens area of at least 60 centimetres squared; and
(b) a luminous intensity (in candela) of at least the values specified in Table 2 when measured at the angles in the Table and in accordance with the test method specified in the third edition ADR 6; or
(c) meet an alternative acceptable standard set by the Secretary.
**Table 2**
- *Vertical angle from centre of light* *Horizontal angle from centre of light*
- *Item* –30° –20° –10° –5° 0° 5° 10° 20° 30°
- 1 10° 50 80 50
- 2 5° 180 320 350 450 350 320 180
- 3 0° 75 450 1000 1250 1500 1250 1000 450 75
- 4 –5° 40 270 450 570 600 570 450 270 40
- 5 –10° 75 75 75
113 Specifications for warning signs
(1) A warning sign at the front of the bus must—
(a) display the words "school bus" in capital letters at least 100 millimetres high; or
(b) display an image of 2 children in the same proportions as the children in Australian Standard AS 1743:2018 Road signs—Specifications (image W6–3), with the image of the taller child at least 230 millimetres high.
(2) A warning sign at the rear of the bus must display an image of 2 children in the same proportions as the children in Australian Standard AS 1743:2018 Road signs—Specifications (image W6–3), with the image of the taller child at least 230 millimetres high.
(3) The warning sign referred to in subclauses (1)(b) and (2) must—
(a) be a rectangular shape at least—
(i) if warning lights are on the warning sign, 550 millimetres wide and 400 millimetres high; and
(ii) in any other case, 400 millimetres wide and 250 millimetres high; and
(b) have a black border; and
(c) have black graphics and be coated with yellow retro‑reflective material of class 1 or 2 that meets Australian Standard AS 1906 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes (Part 1: Retroreflective sheeting).