When approaching a school bus stop, how far in advance should the overhead amber lights be activated?

When a school bus is approaching a stop where it will pick up or drop off students, activating the overhead amber lights at a distance of 300 feet serves an important safety function. This distance allows other drivers adequate time to recognize that the bus is preparing to stop and that they should begin slowing down. The amber lights are a warning signal indicating that the bus is about to receive or discharge passengers, giving motorists sufficient time to respond accordingly while maintaining safe driving behaviors.

This is critical in ensuring the safety of the children who will be boarding or alighting from the bus, as it helps to reduce the risk of accidents in the vicinity of the bus stop. Activating the lights too late could compromise the safety of children, who may be unaware of the approaching vehicle and could inadvertently step into the street. Thus, activating the amber lights 300 feet in advance is a vital protocol in school bus operations to enhance the safety of students and other road users.