Delegate Nguyen Thanh Cam, Standing Member of the Social Committee, proposed that school buses be given priority because the young generation is the future of the country.
Ms. Cam said at the discussion session in the National Assembly on the morning of November 10, when giving comments on the draft Law on Traffic Safety and Order.
According to the female delegate, the list of priority vehicles in the draft only includes rescue vehicles of the fire prevention and fighting force on duty; military vehicles; police vehicles on emergency duty; ambulances for emergency treatment; dyke protection vehicles, vehicles for dealing with natural disasters and epidemics; and funeral processions. School buses are not priority vehicles and are only allowed to divert traffic, regulate traffic, and arrange stops and parking at schools and other points along the pick-up and drop-off routes.
Ms. Cam said she was very worried when many tragic traffic accidents occurred recently with victims being children and students. "I hope the drafting committee will consider putting school buses on the priority list. Developed countries all have very high standards for ensuring traffic safety for children," she said, adding that according to a survey, in Hanoi only 2.6% and in Ho Chi Minh City 1.1% of school buses are equipped with safety equipment.
Delegate Nguyen Thanh Cam speaks at the morning group on November 10. Photo: VT
Standing member of the National Defense and Security Committee Vu Huy Khanh said that recently, when the Committee reviewed the report on the draft law, it found that the problem of traffic accidents involving children and students was "very worrying". He suggested having special policies for the type of transportation to pick up and drop off students, including tax incentives and other policies.
"Don't wait until an accident happens before checking, to avoid the situation where expired vehicles are still used to transport children, or even if they are no longer vehicles with punctured floors, no latches, and no doors," said Mr. Khanh.
Delegate Khanh also pointed out the current situation in big cities, where school buses are mainly provided to private schools, for families with means. Public school students almost never have a bus. "Children need to have the same right to be protected and safe on the road," he said.
Since the 1940s, most states in the United States have required other vehicles to stop when they see a school bus picking up or dropping off children. Therefore, it is illegal to drive past a school bus with its hazard lights on. Oncoming drivers are generally only allowed to drive past a stopped bus if there is a solid median or a fifth lane (the center lane) with a solid yellow line.
In the 1970s, many states required school buses to have warning lights that were turned on 100 to 300 feet from a stop to alert other drivers. To prevent other vehicles from driving past a bus that was stopping to pick up or drop off students, a Stop sign would be displayed on the left side of the bus.
Delegate Vu Huy Khanh. Photo: National Assembly Media
School buses must have warning lights.
According to the draft Law on Road Traffic Safety, a series of conditions for school buses have been tightened. Accordingly, the vehicle must be no more than 15 years old; have warning lights or be registered with an identifying paint color. Elementary or preschool buses must have seat belts and age-appropriate seats; and the vehicle's windows must be visible from the outside.
Elementary and preschool school buses must have a manager to guide, supervise, maintain order and ensure safety throughout the trip. Preschool buses with more than 24 seats must have 2 managers. Schools must train drivers and student managers to master the procedures.
Currently, many countries have very strict regulations on school buses. School buses in the US are painted a distinctive yellow color. In California, school buses must be equipped with a child safety warning system. This is an alarm located at the back of the bus, connected to the engine. When the engine is turned off, the driver must go to the back of the bus to turn off the device, otherwise the alarm will sound to warn everyone. Thus, the driver cannot forget to check the students on the bus. Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin have similar regulations.
In India, school bus drivers need five years of experience. Each bus needs a manager and all buses must be equipped with a navigation system and speed limiter.
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