Inclement Weather Strobe Light Placement

[REGION4SMVI]

Memo
To: School Bus Operators
School Bus Manufacturers and Distributors
NYSDOT staff
From: Rusty Seastrum – Bus Safety Section
Date: 12/30/2009
Re: Inclement Weather Strobe Light Placement
Whereas there are numerous configurations of school bus bodies that are different relative to length of the body, location of roof hatches and other design and construction factors this memo is to serve to assist in clarification as to where inclement weather strobe lights may be placed.
The regulation that addresses the placement of inclement weather strobe lights on school buses is New York Code Of Rules and Regulations Title 15 Chapter 1 Part 56.12 (b). It states in part;
“The strobe light shall be placed on the centerline of the bus roof as close as possible to one third of the roof length forward from the rear of the bus.”
It is the opinion of this office and the Technical Services Office of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles that said lights must be placed nearly as practical on the front to rear centerline of the school bus body at any point rear of the more easily defined middle of the passenger area but within reason not less than 24 inches forward of the rear school bus sign. Any bus in service as of this date that has the light placed slightly less than 24 inches from the rear will not have to be altered.