Speed Limits For School Buses

Have you ever seen a school bus slam on its brakes and almost hit someone? I saw a near accident this morning, which prompts this post.

Did you know that school buses may not travel over 55 miles per hour? The speed limit is found in California Vehicle Code section 22406:

22406. No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:

. . .

(c) A schoolbus transporting any school pupil.

Buses are large and heavy, and slow to stop. A speeding school bus can caused a serious accident. School bus accidents are often catastrophic and can injure the students on board, other drivers, etc.

What makes matters worse for the children in a school bus is that they are (hardly ever) strapped in - as there is no seatbelt. In a rollover, this is especially bad. Most of the time, however, a bus is so large and heavy that it is the people outside of the bus who need to worry.

Pete Clancy is a personal injury attorney in Oakland. He was named a Rising Star by SuperLawyer Magazine in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and is a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.