What Do The 3 Black Lines On The Side Of School Bus Really Mean?

There is a meme circulating that asks, “What Are the Black Lines on a School Bus For?” But is the response real or fake?

The meme says: The 3 Black Lines On The Bus...

“Had no idea. The three black lines on school buses serve a purpose.

The bottom line is the floor of the bus. The middle line is the seat line. The top black line is the top of the seats.

These lines of the bus are reinforced, but they also let firefighters know where to cut in case of an accident.

I love knowing stuff like this. Old dog, new tricks.”

But like many things you see online, it's not necessarily based on truth.

According to Snopes.com ...

What's True: The primary purpose of the three black lines, called rub rails, on the side of a school bus is to add structure and support to the vehicle. The general positioning of these stripes may line up with the floor and seat.

What's False: These stripes are not precise indicators of the position of any interior equipment.

What's Undetermined: Whether or not emergency crews are trained to use these stripes to determine the location of seating during an accident.

The school bus manufacturer, Blue Bird, stated: “The intended design of a rub rail is actually part of the structural integrity of a school bus.

They are there so that buses can meet crash test and other safety requirements.

Not all rub rails are black- sometimes they are yellow like the bus or another color!

Emergency services have adopted this method that you mention later in their production they use them as markers to determine where the seats are located.

They are required on all school buses per national school bus safety standards.”