Today on way to class I watched a school bus do something rather strange. I have to cross railroad tracks at an intersection. While I was stopped a school bus came up to the tracks and stopped(like normal) waited, opened the door and went across closed the door and continued on. Ive seen this happen before but not at RR crossing. Anybody know the reasoning behind this?

So the driver can see down the track.

Yep they did that way back when I rode a school bus.

Recommended Procedures for School Bus Drivers at Railroad Crossings by the National Safety Council.

Ah. That makes sense.
Thanks guys.

I'm a school bus driver..It's the law to stop, look and listen. This includes even if you are empty or if a train has just passed by..
Remember the bad bus wreck on the GA/TN border a few years back? It was documented by video tapes that the driver failed to stop over 12 times at the RR crossing..