When approaching a school bus stop, how far should you activate your overhead amber lights?

Activating your overhead amber lights at least 300 feet from a school bus stop is crucial for the safety of students exiting or boarding the bus. This distance provides adequate warning to other drivers that a school bus is preparing to make a stop.

By signaling early with amber lights, you enable drivers behind you and in adjacent lanes to reduce speed and be vigilant, anticipating that the bus may soon display its red lights and that children may be crossing the roadway. This practice is not only a safety measure but also a regulatory requirement designed to protect young passengers, who can be unpredictable as they move to and from the bus.

Using the correct distance allows for increased reaction time, helping to prevent potential accidents. Other distances provided in the options either do not offer sufficient warning time or may not conform to regulations, thereby increasing the risk to safety in school zones.