§ 31-23-53. School bus public address sound system.
(a) Every school bus placed in service shall be equipped with a public address sound system which shall be audible from a distance of not less than fifty feet (50′) and shall have a minimum of one speaker mounted outside the bus and a minimum of one speaker mounted inside the bus. The public address system and the method of installation shall be approved and certified by the division of motor vehicles. This system shall be inspected at all regularly scheduled inspections.
(b) When the driver of the school bus has picked up students, the bus will remain stopped, with red lights flashing, until all students are seated. Prior to any student being permitted to disembark from the bus, the driver shall look to see that all approaching traffic has stopped and observed the flashing red signal. After students have disembarked from the bus, the driver shall allow ample time for the students to clear the bus area before closing the doors and then, after remaining stopped for approximately ten (10) seconds, the driver shall announce through the public address system that the bus will proceed.
(c) The department of elementary and secondary education shall require a demonstration of the operation of the public address system at each school. The demonstration shall take place at least two (2) times per year, one of which shall take place during the month of September.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to school buses used exclusively for the transportation of students receiving special education pursuant to chapter 24 of title 16; provided, the school buses without the inside and outside speakers may not be used for students not receiving special education, except for transportation before or after normal school hours. This provision shall be limited to secondary education students.
History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 329, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 70, art. 23, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 68.
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.