When should a school bus driver activate their overhead amber lights while approaching a bus stop?

A school bus driver should activate their overhead amber lights when they are approximately 300 feet from a bus stop. This is an important safety measure designed to alert other drivers that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children.

By activating the amber lights at this distance, the driver provides sufficient notice to vehicles behind and in front of the bus. This advance warning gives other motorists time to slow down and prepare to stop, ensuring a safer environment for children boarding or exiting the bus. The activation of overhead amber lights is a critical practice that supports the safety of students who rely on school transportation.

Choosing 300 feet aligns with standard guidelines for school bus operations, the specific distance being set to create optimal safety conditions for students, allowing both the bus driver and other roadway users to act appropriately.