Wisconsin School Bus Association Articles

Proposed Changes To The Eight Light System

SECTION 10. 347.25 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

347.25 (2) No person may operate a school bus which is painted as provided in
s. 347.44 unless it is equipped with a 360-degree flashing white strobe light having a
flashrate of 60 to 120 per minute and either flashing red warning lights or lights or flashing red amber warning lights as required below:

(a) A school bus with a body manufactured on or after January 1, 2005 shall utilize a red and amber eight light warning system after August 31, 2012.

(b) A school bus body manufactured on or after January 1, 2002 through December 31,
2004 shall utilize a red and amber eight light warning system after August 31, 2015, but
may begin use, if equipped, after August 31, 2012.

(c) A school bus with a body manufactured prior to January 1, 2002 will be
grandfathered to operate a four light red warning system indefinitely but may begin use,
if equipped, after August 31, 2012.

The secretary shall prescribe rules for the type, installation, operation and light output
brilliance of the lights required under this subsection. No vehicle may be equipped with
the warning and strobe lights required under this subsection unless it also is painted as
provided in s. 347.44.