Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 28 - EDUCATION
Part CXIII - Bulletin 119-Louisiana School Transportation Specifications and Procedures
Chapter 9 - Vehicle Operation
Section CXIII-905 - Crossing Railroad Tracks

1. The driver of any school bus, with or without students, shall come to a complete stop no closer than 15 feet but within 50 feet of the rail nearest the front of the bus.

2. Drivers making stops for railroad crossings shall observe traffic. Bus speed shall be reduced far enough in advance of the stop to avoid trapping other motorists in panic stops or rear-end collisions with the bus. On multiple lane roadways, the bus should stop in the right lane whenever possible.

3. During wet, stormy, or foggy weather, before placing part of the bus on the tracks, the bus driver must know that the crossing can be made safely. Any use of flares or warning signals must be taken as an additional warning of danger.

4. Turn signal lights may be operated in their hazard mode except when prohibited by state statute or local regulation. Except for hazard lights and brake lights, no other school bus signals will be activated for the railroad crossing.

5. When any school bus must stop for any railroad track at grade, all students must be silent until the crossing is completed.

6. After a train has passed the crossing on multiple tracks, the bus driver shall not drive the bus onto any track until the driver is certain that no other train (possibly hidden by the first train) is approaching on an adjacent track.

1. The driver of a school bus that has stopped at any railroad track or tracks at which any crossing gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed, and flashing red lights and/or bells have been activated shall not proceed across such tracks unless by authorization from a law enforcement officer. If a flagman is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under his direction.

2. At crossings controlled by traffic signals, the bus driver shall obey the traffic signals.

1. When the bus has stopped, the driver shall fully open the service door, listen and look in both directions along the track or tracks for approaching engines, trains or train cars.

2. For improved vision and hearing, the window at the driver's left and the service door should be opened, and all noisy equipment (radios, fans, etc.) should be turned off and should remain turned off until the bus has safely cleared the crossing.

3. If the view of the tracks is obstructed for 1,000 feet or less in either direction, no portion of the bus may be driven onto the tracks until the driver has made certain that no train is approaching. Although railroad signals may indicate the tracks are clear, the driver must develop and use visual and auditory senses to determine whether or not it is safe to proceed.

4. The bus driver must never accept a lack of movement as an indication that the railroad signal is working or is out of order. A bus driver must always consider a railroad grade crossing as conclusive warning of danger and shall not cross the track until the bus driver has determined that no train is approaching.

5. The school bus driver shall always drive across the tracks in an appropriate low gear and not change gears while crossing the tracks.