Right Turn with Off-Tracking, a Pedestrian, and Standing Students
You are driving a 40-foot, 102-inch-wide school bus with 22 students on a two-lane street in Medford, Oregon. You want to turn right onto a narrow side street controlled by a stop sign. Parked cars line the right curb on the side street, and a utility pole sits close to the curb at the corner. A pedestrian with a stroller waits on the right corner. Your bus is stopped at the limit line, but the front bumper is already slightly past the crosswalk. The rear wheels will track inside the front wheels during the turn. A pickup behind you is close. Students are standing in the aisle as you approach the stop.
1. How should you position the bus and what speed should you use for the turn?
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Stop before the crosswalk or limit line; if the bumper is already past it, stop and do not creep forward while the pedestrian is waiting. Set up the turn from the right lane, but use the left side of your lane so the rear wheels do not track over the curb-without crossing the centerline into oncoming traffic. Keep the speed at a walking pace through the turn. Because parked cars narrow the side street, check that you can complete the turn before committing. If a vehicle is approaching from the side street or oncoming, wait. Do not swing wide into the left lane unless you can see it is clear and it is legal. The pickup behind you is close; do not let it rush your turn.
2. What mirror checks and pedestrian considerations control this turn?
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Use the right convex mirror to watch the right rear tires and the curb; the rear wheels will cut inside the front wheels, so the right rear is the tire most likely to hit the curb or the utility pole. Check the left mirror for tail swing as the rear end sweeps left when you start the turn. The pedestrian with the stroller has the right of way; make eye contact and wait until the pedestrian is clear of your path before moving. Check the crosswalk again after the pedestrian passes. Move slowly enough that you can stop if someone appears. If the right rear is drifting toward the curb, stop and pull forward again rather than forcing the turn.
3. What do you do about the students standing in the aisle and the close pickup behind you?
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Before moving, tell the students to sit down and stay seated; do not proceed while students are standing in the aisle. A sudden stop or turn could throw them into the windshield or door. If they do not comply, stop the bus in a safe place and secure them before continuing. The pickup behind you does not change the rule: you need a clear path and seated passengers. Check mirrors once more, signal, and complete the turn at walking pace. After the turn, check that all students are seated before increasing speed. Document any repeated standing problem for the school.