Sec. 12.

(1) In addition to any other warning signals required by this act, a school bus may be equipped with a flashing advisory sign for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a traffic hazard requiring the use of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing. A flashing advisory sign described in this subsection shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) The sign shall be mounted on the rear of the school bus in an area that does not interfere with compliance with the requirements of section 19 or 33.

(b) The sign shall display warning messages to motorists in accordance with all of the following:

(i) The sign shall be sealed and weathertight, and shall be 23.5 by 8.75 by 1.5 inches in size.

(ii) The sign shall be connected to the school bus safety lights.

(iii) The sign shall alternately flash the word messages "caution" and "stopping" when the amber school bus safety lights are activated. The letters in the word messages described in this subparagraph shall be amber and shall be at least 1.5 inches tall. The word messages described in this subparagraph may be controlled by the hazard lights or school bus safety light flashers.

(iv) The sign shall flash the word message "stop" or "do not pass" when the red school bus safety lights are activated. The letters in the word messages described in this subparagraph shall be red and shall be at least 1.5 inches tall. The word messages described in this subparagraph may be controlled by the hazard lights or school bus safety light flashers.

(v) The sign shall flash the word message "caution" or "caution stopping" when the hazard lights are activated. The letters in the word messages described in this subparagraph shall be amber and shall be at least 1.5 inches tall. The word messages described in this subparagraph may be controlled by the hazard lights or school bus safety light flashers.

(vi) The sign shall flash the word message "caution" when the back-up lights are activated. The letters in the word message described in this subparagraph shall be amber and shall be at least 1.5 inches tall. The word messages described in this subparagraph may be controlled by the hazard lights or school bus safety light flashers.

(vii) The sign shall have a minimum viewing angle of 15 degrees on each side of the perpendicular axis.

(viii) The word messages described in subparagraphs (iii) to (vi) shall be clearly visible in direct sunlight from a distance of 500 feet along the axis of the school bus.

(ix) Regardless of the type of lighting used for illumination, each warning message displayed by the sign shall include a complete light quality arrangement to fully and clearly convey the intended warning message to approaching motorists.

(2) An electronic sign that displays warning messages to motorists may be placed on the front of a school bus if all of the following are satisfied:

(a) A flashing advisory sign has been mounted on the rear of the school bus as provided in subsection (1)(a).

(b) The sign is wired only to the amber and red school bus safety lights.

(c) The sign is mounted below the windshield, vertically centered, and does not create a vision obstruction for the driver of the school bus.

(3) A sign described in subsections (1) and (2) shall comply with all of the following:

(a) The sign shall be uniform in design and in operation, and each sign placed on a school bus as provided in this section shall display the same advisory warnings.

(b) The sign shall automatically energize when the school bus's hazard lights are activated, shall comply with section 19(3), and shall automatically de-energize when the school bus service door is closed.

(c) The sign shall be properly maintained and operated as designed by the manufacturer.

(4) This section may be referred to as the "Privacky Law".

History: Add. 2017, Act 233, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 2017