1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, every school bus operated for the transportation of pupils to or from school must be equipped with:

(a) A system of flashing red lights of a type approved by the State Board and installed at the expense of the school district or operator. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the driver shall operate this signal:

(1) When the bus is stopped to unload pupils.

(2) When the bus is stopped to load pupils.

(3) In times of emergency, accident or motor vehicle crash, when appropriate.

(b) A mechanical device, attached to the front of the bus which, when extended, causes persons to walk around the device. The device must be approved by the State Board and installed at the expense of the school district or operator. The driver shall operate the device when the bus is stopped to load or unload pupils. The installation of such a mechanical device is not required for a school bus which is used solely to transport pupils with special needs who are individually loaded and unloaded in a manner which does not require them to walk in front of the bus. The provisions of this paragraph do not prohibit a school district from upgrading or replacing such a mechanical device with a more efficient and effective device that is approved by the State Board.

2. A driver may stop to load and unload pupils in a designated area without operating the system of flashing red lights required by subsection 1 if the designated area:

(a) Has been designated by a school district and approved by the Department;

(b) Is of sufficient depth and length to provide space for the bus to park at least 8 feet off the traveled portion of the roadway;

(c) Is not within an intersection of roadways;

(d) Contains ample space between the exit door of the bus and the parking area to allow safe exit from the bus;

(e) Is located so as to allow the bus to reenter the traffic from its parked position without creating a traffic hazard; and

(f) Is located so as to allow pupils to enter and exit the bus without crossing the roadway.

3. In addition to the equipment required by subsection 1 and except as otherwise provided in subsection 5 of NRS 386.830, each school bus must:

(a) Be equipped and identified as required by the regulations of the State Board; and

(b) If the bus is a new bus purchased by a school district to transport pupils, meet the standards set forth in:

(1) Subsection 1 of NRS 386.835 if the bus is purchased on or after January 1, 2016;

(2) Subsection 2 or 3 of NRS 386.835 if the bus is purchased on or after July 1, 2016; and

(3) NRS 386.837 if the bus is purchased on or after July 1, 2019.

4. The Department of Public Safety shall inspect school buses to determine whether the provisions of this section concerning equipment and identification of the school buses have been complied with, and shall report any violations discovered to the superintendent of schools of the school district wherein the vehicles are operating.

5. If the superintendent of schools fails or refuses to take appropriate action to correct any such violation within 10 days after receiving notice of it from the Department of Public Safety, the superintendent is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction must be removed from office.

6. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

[401:32:1956] — (NRS A 1957, 629, 737; 1961, 302; 1967, 566; 1971, 340; 1973, 1296; 1981, 992; 1985, 1989; 1991, 275; 1993, 169; 2001, 2603; 2011, 471; 2013, 1023; 2015, 1669; 2017, 2181) — (Substituted in revision for NRS 392.410)