Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 447

FORMERLY

SENATE BILL NO. 175

AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 43, TITLE 21, DELAWARE CODE, RELATING TO EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON SCHOOL BUSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 43, Title 21, Delaware Code, by adding a new section as follows: "§4365. Stop Signal Device

Every school bus must be equipped with one (1) stop signal device, commonly referred to as a stop arm. The stop signal device shall meet the applicable requirement of the Society of Automotive Engineers J1133, be of an octagonal shape approximately 18 inches in diameter, be red in color with a white boarder approximately 1/2 inch wide, have the word "STOP" located near the middle of the sign in 6 inch white letters 1 inch in width. The stop signal device shall, in addition to having the above requirements on both sides of the sign, have two double faced red lights approximately 4 1/2 inches in diameter, one located near the top and one located near the bottom of the sign. The lights shall be wired to work in conjunction with the flashing red overhead lights located at the front and rear of the bus.

The actuating mechanism of the sign shall be electrically operated and controlled through the same mechanism that actuates the flashing red overhead lights and shall be used only when the bus is stopped to pick up and discharge pupils.

The sign is to be located on the left exterior side of the bus near the front of the bus body immediately below the window line."

Section 2. The Department of Public Instruction Is hereby directed to develop a schedule for the installation of stop arms on all school buses operated and registered in the State. The schedule for nstallation shall be developed no later than June 30, 1987.

Section 3. This Act shall be effective July 1, 1986 and apply to all new school buses purchased by the State Board of Education on or after that date. All other school buses shall be equipped with stop arms in accordance with the schedule as developed in Section 2 hereof.

Approved July 8, 1986.