Improving
Transit Safety
Improved safety for buses and other drivers is
the primary purpose of Oregon's new YIELD TO BUS law. In a typical 8-hour shift, it’s
not uncommon for a bus driver to make as many as 200 to 400 stops at a bus stop. It’s
very stressful to keep a bus on schedule when other drivers won’t let the bus back
into the travel lane. Some buses block the travel lane rather than pulling into the bus
pullout when they are running behind schedule.
With the new law, the bus driver can pull out of
the travel lane, letting other traffic go by as the passengers are getting on and off the
bus. Then, by signaling with a special "YIELD" sign, the bus will have the right
of way to pull back into the first lane of traffic and to keep on schedule. Passengers,
bus drivers and drivers of other vehicles will all benefit.
- How did the new YIELD TO BUS law
come about?
During the 1997 Legislative session, the
Amalgamated Transit Union 757 introduced SB 437 as a way to improve safety for transit bus
operators and the driving public.
- What is the purpose of the new law?
The law gives transit buses that are equipped
with an electric Yield sign the right of way when pulling away from the curb into the
first travel lane, having stopped to pick up or drop off passengers at a bus stop.
- When does the new law become
effective?
The law requires the Oregon Department of
Transportation to adopt an administrative rule, specifying the dimensions and details of
the uniform sign. This administrative rule will be presented to the Oregon Transportation
Commission at their meeting on April 15, 1998. If it is approved, it will be signed and
delivered to the Secretary of States office, and will be enforceable.
- Who can put the new signs on the
back of their buses?
The agencies identified under ORS 811.167 that
are given the right-of-way when displaying the new YIELD sign include Transit Districts,
Transportation Districts, and Cities. Other agencies are not prohibited from displaying
the sign, however, law enforcement agencies cannot issue citations unless the vehicle is
being operated by one of the three types of agencies. The Internet address for ORS 811.167
is: http://landru.leg.state.or.us/ors/811.html
.
- How is this law different from the
school bus law?
With the school bus law, all lanes of traffic are
required to stop. The new "Yield to Bus" law only requires the first lane of
traffic in the same direction as the bus to stop.
- What is the penalty for failing to
yield to a transit bus?
The offense of failing to yield the right of way
to a transit bus entering traffic, is a Class D traffic infraction, with a maximum fine of
$75.
- Are Transit Systems required to
install the new signs?
No. A Transit system is not required to install
the signs. However, the law cannot be enforced unless there is a sign on the back of the
bus in question that was activated by the driver prior to entering the first lane of
traffic.
- How much do the new signs cost?
The estimated cost of purchasing the new
electronic sign is $300 per unit, plus installation and the cost of a switch. The
Department of Administrative Services will have a state price agreement soon for ordering
the signs.
- Where can I find out more about the
new law?
Information about the new law, along with a photo
of a transit bus with the new sign, can be found on ODOT webpage. The address is http://www.odot.state.or.us/region1/f_safety/march.htm
For more information, call Stephen Fosdick of the
Oregon Department of Transportation, Public Transit Section at (503) 986-3410.
| 811.167 Failure to yield right of way to
transit bus; rules; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to yield the
right of way to a transit bus entering traffic if the person does not yield the right of
way to a transit bus when: (a) A yield sign as
described in subsection (2) of this section is displayed on the back of the transit bus;
(b) The person is operating a vehicle that is overtaking
the transit bus from the rear of the transit bus; and
(c) The transit bus, after stopping to receive or
discharge passengers, is signaling an intention to enter the traffic lane occupied by the
person.
(2) The yield sign referred to in subsection (1)(a) of
this section shall warn a person operating a motor vehicle approaching the rear of a
transit bus that the person must yield when the transit bus is entering traffic. The yield
sign shall be illuminated by a flashing light when the bus is signaling an intention to
enter a traffic lane after stopping to receive or discharge passengers. The Oregon
Transportation Commission shall adopt by rule the message on the yield sign,
specifications for the size, shape, color, lettering and illumination of the sign and
specifications for the placement of the sign on a transit bus.
(3) This section does not relieve a driver of a transit
bus from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the
roadway.
(4) As used in this section, "transit bus" means
a commercial bus operated by a city, a mass transit district established under ORS 267.010
to 267.390 or a transportation district established under ORS 267.510 to 267.650.
(5) The offense described in this section, failure to
yield the right of way to a transit bus entering traffic, is a Class D traffic infraction.
[1997 c.509 s.2]
Note: 811.167 was added to and made a part of ORS
chapter 811 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See
Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
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