§ 31-23-42.1. Special mirrors on school buses.
Every school bus as defined in § 31-1-3 shall be equipped with a system of mirrors that will give the seated driver a view of the roadway to each side of the bus, and the area immediately in front of the front bumper, in accordance with the following specifications:
(1) At least seven and one-half inches (7½") of a thirty-inch (30") long rod shall be visible to the driver, either by direct view or by means of an indirect visibility system, when the rod is placed upright on the ground at any point along a traverse line extending one foot from the forward-most point of the bus and one foot from the length and width and rear of the bus.
(2) Every school bus owner shall maintain a measuring rod thirty inches (30") in length with distinctive identification marks located at seven and one-half inch (7½”) intervals for purposes of adjusting the system of mirrors required by this section in accordance with these specifications.
(3) Other mirrors shall be located and adjustable so as to meet their intended minimum requirements, and may be incorporated in the system of mirrors required by this section.
(4) Each school bus shall be equipped with at least two (2) flat-surfaced rectangular exterior mirrors, one situated on each side of the bus forward of the operator and any entrance door. The reflecting surface shall not be obscured and shall have a minimum reflective surface of fifty square inches (50 sq. in.). The mirrors shall be firmly supported and adjustable, and shall afford the driver a clear, stable, reflected view of the road surface at each side of the vehicle for a continual distance beginning at a point not greater than two hundred feet (200′) to the rear and continuing to the horizon when measured on a straight and level road.
(5) Exterior mirror mounts shall include a wide-angle adjustable convex mirror to provide a close-in field of vision to the operator. Each school bus shall be equipped with convex mirrors that shall be mounted at the left front corner and the right front corner of the vehicle, sufficiently adjustable to enable a seated operator to observe a reflection of the area in front of the bus where children might stand or pass.
(6) Each school bus shall be equipped with interior mirrors that shall afford the driver a view of the bus interior, emergency door, and the roadway to the immediate rear of the bus. Every school bus with a seating capacity of sixteen (16) passengers or fewer shall have a convex rear view mirror located near the right front corner, so as to provide the operator with a view of the ground area at the entrance door when the door is not equipped with safety glass in the lower portion of the door.
(7) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 198, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 448, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 120; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 17.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-23 - Equipment and Accessories Generally
Section 31-23-2. - Additional parts and accessories.
Section 31-23-3. - Farm and road machinery exempt.
Section 31-23-4. - Brake equipment required.
Section 31-23-5. - Performance ability of brakes.
Section 31-23-6. - Maintenance of brakes.
Section 31-23-7. - Brakes on motor-driven cycles.
Section 31-23-8. - Horn required.
Section 31-23-9. - Theft alarm signals.
Section 31-23-10. - Sirens, bells, and whistles prohibited.
Section 31-23-11. - Warning devices on emergency vehicles.
Section 31-23-11.1. - Warning lights on private vehicles.
Section 31-23-12. - Salvation Army vehicle.
Section 31-23-14. - Prevention of excessive fumes or smoke.
Section 31-23-14.1. - Fire extinguishers.
Section 31-23-15. - Rear-view mirror.
Section 31-23-17. - Windshield wipers.
Section 31-23-18. - Solid rubber tires.
Section 31-23-19. - Metal tires prohibited.
Section 31-23-20. - Protuberances on tires.
Section 31-23-21. - Permits for operation of vehicles having tracks with transverse corrugations.
Section 31-23-22. - Safety glass in new vehicles.
Section 31-23-23. - Replacement with safety glass.
Section 31-23-24. - “Safety glass” defined.
Section 31-23-25. - List of approved types of glass — Enforcement of requirements.
Section 31-23-26. - Fenders and wheel flaps required.
Section 31-23-27. - Rear wheel flaps on buses, trucks, and trailers.
Section 31-23-28. - Failure to have fenders or wheel flaps.
Section 31-23-29. - Flares and warning devices.
Section 31-23-30 - — 31-23-36. Repealed.
Section 31-23-37. - Transporting hazardous substances.
Section 31-23-38. - Television receivers prohibited.
Section 31-23-39. - Safety seat belts in new vehicles.
Section 31-23-40. - Approved types of seat belts — Enforcement of requirements.
Section 31-23-41. - Safety belts in public service vehicles.
Section 31-23-42. - First-aid kit and heating equipment in school bus.
Section 31-23-42.1. - Special mirrors on school buses.
Section 31-23-42.2. - Power equipment on school buses.
Section 31-23-43. - Wheel safety chocks.
Section 31-23-44. - Approved type of wheel safety chocks — Enforcement of requirements.
Section 31-23-45. - Tire treads.
Section 31-23-46. - Department of environmental management — Vehicles.
Section 31-23-47. - Slow moving vehicle emblems.
Section 31-23-48. - Police cars — Extinguishers.
Section 31-23-49. - Transportation of gasoline — Penalty.
Section 31-23-50. - Motorcycle reflectorized plates.
Section 31-23-51. - Earphones and headsets prohibited.
Section 31-23-52. - Removal of catalytic converter prohibited.
Section 31-23-53. - School bus public address sound system.
Section 31-23-54. - School buses — Fire extinguishers.
Section 31-23-55. - Speedometer and odometer.
Section 31-23-56. - Stop arm required.
Section 31-23-57. - Eye protection for motorcycle operators.
Section 31-23-58. - Department of transportation — Vehicles — Backup warning device.