TITLE 575 STATE SCHOOL BUS COMMITTEE

Amends 575 IAC 1-9-7 for a new location requirement and fastening method for seat belt cutters and clarification of language specifying an additional seat belt cutter on a bus equipped with a lift. Amends 575 IAC 1-9-49 to add an option for an additional brake light and two additional backup lights. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher.

IC 4-22-2.1-5 Statement Concerning Rules Affecting Small Businesses

SECTION 1. 575 IAC 1-9-7 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Affected: IC 20-27-9

Sec. 7. (a) All buses must be equipped with a seat belt cutter.

(b) The seat belt cutter must have a full-width handgrip, designed with a protective blade to minimize risk to the operator or others during use.

(c) The seat belt cutter must be located and secured in the driver's compartment, within the driver's view and reach at all times while the driver is seated in the driver's seat.

(d) The seat belt cutter may not must be located in the first-aid kit. secured using a positive fastening method.

(e) If a seat belt cutter is located in a compartment, the compartment must be labeled with the words "Seat Belt Cutter" or similar description.

(f) (e) On a bus equipped with a lift, a an additional seat belt cutter must be placed as secured near as possible to the lift location. in such manner as to be nonaccessible to children.

SECTION 2. 575 IAC 1-9-49 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Affected: IC 20-27-9

Sec. 49. (a) Each bus must have four (4) combination red brake tail lamps. Two (2) combination lamps with a minimum diameter of seven (7) inches (or if a shape other than round, a minimum of thirty-eight (38) square inches of illuminated area) must be mounted on the rear of the bus, next to the turn signals. Two (2) combination lamps with a minimum diameter of four (4) inches (or if a shape other than round, a minimum of twelve (12) square inches of illuminated area) must be placed on the rear of the body between the belt line and the floor line.

(b) Each bus must have two (2) tail and brake lamps, each with a diameter of three and three-fourths (3 3/4) inches and two (2) tail and brake lamps, each with a diameter of seven (7) inches (or if a shape other than round, a minimum of thirty-eight (38) square inches of illuminated area), that emit a red light that is visible for five hundred (500) feet during normal weather conditions. Tail lamps must be mounted on the bus at least forty (40) inches from the center of the lamp to the ground. The tail lamps must be:

(c) Brake lamps must have at least the intensity of the Class A turn signal lamps as established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Stop lamps must emit a steady light when illuminated. Buses with bodies supplied by chassis manufacturer may have manufacturer's standard stop and tail lamps.

(d) Each bus must have two (2) backup lights.

(e) The rear of the bus must have seven (7) inch Class A amber turn signals (or if a shape other than round, a minimum of thirty-eight (38) square inches of illuminated area) that meet SAE standards. The front and rear turn signals must be mounted as high as practical and placed as wide apart as practical but not less than three (3) feet. The rear turn signal lamps' centerline must be at least eight (8) inches below the rear windows. Conversion vehicle lamps must be at least twenty-one (21) square inches in lens area. These signals must be independent units and have a four-way hazard warning switch that causes simultaneous flashing of the turn signal lamps when they are needed as a hazard warning.

(f) Backup lights may come on when rear door is opened.

(g) Two (2) additional backup lamps may be installed per manufacturer.

(h) One (1) additional brake lamp may be attached on the rear bumper at the longitudinal centerline of the bumper or as follows:

Notice of Public Hearing

DIN: 20171004-IR-575170270PRA

Composed: Apr 28,2024 9:38:31PM EDT

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