(a) (1) (i) The Administrator may adopt regulations for lighting equipment, special warning devices, markings, and identification to be used by school vehicles. (ii) Regulations adopted under this paragraph shall be consistent with the provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law. (2) (i) A school vehicle registered in the State shall be equipped with an 8-light system of alternately flashing lights. (ii) The 8-light safety system of alternately flashing lights shall meet the standards contained in the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Standard J887 (May 1982), and shall consist of 2 amber lights and 2 red lights at the rear of the vehicle, and 2 amber lights and 2 red lights at the front of the vehicle. (3) A school vehicle may be equipped with a white flashing light installed on the roof of the vehicle. (4) School vehicles shall be marked and identified as provided in, and school vehicle lighting equipment and special warning devices shall conform with, the regulations adopted by the Administrator. (b) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a person may not operate any alternately flashing light on any school vehicle except when the school vehicle is stopping or stopped on a roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers. (c) As to any school vehicle, whenever the vehicle is not being operated on a highway for the transportation of children, students, or teachers for educational purposes or in connection with a school activity: (1) The alternately flashing lights shall be deactivated; and (2) The words "school bus" at the front and rear of the vehicle shall be covered or otherwise concealed. (d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every school vehicle driver shall put in operation alternately flashing amber lights not less than 100 feet before bringing the vehicle to a full stop for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, and place into operation the alternately flashing red lights upon stopping. (e) (1) This subsection applies only to a school vehicle being driven on the same roadway as another school vehicle in the act of loading or unloading passengers. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every school vehicle driver shall put in operation the alternately flashing lights when approaching from the rear or the front, within 100 feet of another school vehicle in the act of loading or unloading passengers on the roadway. (f) (1) In this subsection, "loading zone" means an area: (i) That is: 1. On a highway, but not on the roadway, for use in receiving or discharging passengers residing on the same side of the highway as the loading zone; or 2. Not on a highway; and (ii) Whose location has been designated and approved by either the superintendent of schools in the local school system in which the loading zone is located, the Department of State Police, or the local police department, in cooperation with the State Highway Administration or local traffic engineering agency, as applicable. (2) It is the policy of this State to encourage the establishment and use of loading zones for school vehicles. (3) Where a loading zone is available, a school vehicle driver, unless otherwise required for safety, may not stop on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, but shall use the loading zone for this purpose. (g) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, a driver of a school vehicle shall stop on the roadway to: (1) Receive passengers when transporting them to school; or (2) Discharge passengers when transporting them from school.
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