Evacuation and Railroad-Highway Crossings
Evacuation and Railroad-Highway Crossings
This domain combines two high-risk decisions: when to evacuate a bus and how to cross tracks. The exam tests a safe sequence, not heroics.
Evacuation
- Stop safely, shut off the engine, set the parking brake, and turn on hazard lights.
- Evacuate if there is fire, smoke, a fuel leak, hazardous materials, or a threat that cannot be controlled. If the bus is in a safe place and the hazard is outside, keep riders aboard and call 911.
- Use the exit away from traffic and fire. Assist disabled riders; send someone to lead the group to a safe distance.
- Account for every passenger, call 911, and do not let anyone reboard until authorities say it is safe.
Railroad-highway crossings
- A bus carrying passengers must stop at every railroad crossing, even if signals are flashing, unless the crossing is controlled by a police officer or flagman, or the tracks are abandoned.
- Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail. Look and listen; open a window or door if needed to hear.
- Cross only when clear. Do not shift gears while on the tracks, and never stop on the tracks.
- If the bus stalls on the tracks, get everyone out and away immediately, then call 911.
Worked example
A bus approaches a crossing with flashing red lights but no flagman. The driver must still stop 15 to 50 feet back, look and listen, and cross only when the tracks are clear. The lights are a warning, not an exemption.
Traps
- Rolling through a crossing because the gate is up.
- Stopping closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet.
- Keeping riders aboard a burning bus while calling for instructions.
- Evacuating into traffic instead of away from it.