Advocacy & Safety - Freakin School Buses!!

I got caught behind a school bus today for about 20 minutes during my ride. I hated every minute of it. It went about 25 miles per hour and stopped every 100 yards. I would try to pass it, but I couldn't go to the right, becuase there were little kids getting off, and I couldn't go to the left becuase I would have to swing out into oncoming traffic.

Uh oh...oncoming rant...

On top of its incredible slowness, it made awful smog...I was choaking on exhaust fumes for the whole time I was behind that bus...man, I hate these things. IMO, I think that trucks and busses are the first that should be cleaning up their act. Cars put out almost zero emissions, and reducing them from .0004% to .0002% (ULEV to SULEV?)hydrocarbons is not going to do anything. However, I think that if busses and trucks were held to the same standards, we could clean up the air a significant amount. Every time I see a semi or a bus belch out a cloud of black smoke, it makes me sick. It think it is time that they cleaned up their act.

Rant over. Thank you :D

Thank goodness school is out here for summer.

Originally posted by Phatman
I got caught behind a school bus today for about 20 minutes during my ride. I hated every minute of it.

On top of its incredible slowness, it made awful smog...I was choaking on exhaust fumes for the whole time I was behind that bus...man, I hate these things. IMO, I think that trucks and busses are the first that should be cleaning up their act.
Here in Atlanta, MARTA has implemented many CNG (certified natural gas) powered buses. Not only are they very clean compared to diesel puke, but the exhaust pipe is located on the roof, like trucks, instead of at ground level, like school buses.

(Don't get me started...)

Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
Thank goodness school is out here for summer.
Hehe...it's amazing how much lighter the traffic is...

:D :D :D

aww man. School doesn't get out until the 20th here...Snow days!

Personally I signal about 100 metres in advance, then gradually merge into the traffic. I'm yet to have any problems doing this.

it difficult to merge into oncoming traffic.

School buses tend to be poorly maintained and have horrific emission problems. Furthermore, the drivers themselves can range from dangerous to moderate experienced. Therefore, you want to be careful before attempting to pass these road monsters.

I don't know why school buses are given a pass when it comes to inspection. These polluters should be fined for the smog they leave behind on city streets everywhere in the country. It really is a major problem. During the winter, you can visibly see the smog you inhale sitting behind them and it's a cloud of polution about 15- 20 feet high. DON'T DO THIS!

If you can't pass a school bus, take a five minute break and let him/her go ahead. You do not want to play leap frog with this monster. These school bus drivers are unpredictable. You certainly DON'T want to spend 20 minutes breathing in his exhaust.

When the school bus stops (lights flashing), ride up to the right side door, where they're letting the students off. As soon as the last student is off, accelerate like mad! The bus is probably so poorly maintained, it won't be able to keep up with you. Then get on the road in front of the bus. Once you're ahead of him, you'll probably stay that way, if they make frequent stops. Or, once you're ahead of the bus, ride erratically, so the driver will think you're a newby. The driver will probably follow you rather than try to pass you.