The two amber lights on both the front and the rear of each school bus are Warning Lights used just before the bus comes to a stop to load or unload children. The driver activates the amber lights in rural areas a distance of 500 feet from the stop.
What do the lights on a school bus mean?
According to the California law (CVC 22454), motorists must remain stopped as long as the red lights on the school bus are flashing. … Some school buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop to let children off the bus. The yellow lights are a warning to driver to slow down and prepare to stop.
What are the 8 way lights on a school bus?
The Eight-Light System
This light system uses amber lights which flash prior to the red lights to warn motorists that the bus will soon stop. Many states have already had this system in place for some time, some as early as the 1970s and 80s.
What does flashing yellow lights on school bus mean?
School buses are like traffic signals:
When overhead lights are flashing yellow: Prepare to stop. When overhead lights are flashing red: Stop.
How do bus stop lights work?
When a school bus displays its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights to receive or discharge passengers, the driver of any other vehicle approaching the school bus must stop and not attempt to pass the school bus until the mechanical stop signal is withdrawn, the flashing red lights are turned off and the bus …
What happens if you pass a bus with yellow flashing lights?
If you see flashing yellow lights, that means the school bus is about to stop. … If you’re going the opposite direction, though, passing a school bus with flashing yellow lights is okay. If you see flashing red lights, that means the bus has stopped and is loading or unloading students.
What does it mean when you see amber lights flashing on a school bus?
“Flashing amber lights are a signal that the school bus is preparing to stop, so drivers need to slow down, pay attention and proceed carefully,” State Patrol Lt. Karl Mittelstadt said in a statement.
What are the lights on a school bus called?
The two amber lights on both the front and the rear of each school bus are Warning Lights used just before the bus comes to a stop to load or unload children. The driver activates the amber lights in rural areas a distance of 500 feet from the stop. In urban areas, amber lights are activated 200 feet from the stop.
When should you use the 8 light warning system?
School Bus Safety – The 8 Light Warning System
I can guarantee that every school district in North America has trouble with traffic passing a stopped school bus when the red lights are flashing. These red lights are the 8 light warning system that starts off with amber lights before the bus comes to a full stop.
Why do school buses have flashing light on roof?
The purpose of equipping buses with roof mount strobe lights is to alert motorists that a school bus is in the vicinity. This may be especially helpful in severe weather conditions, such as rain, fog, smog, and snow, where the vision of approaching motorists is more obscured.
Are you supposed to stop at a flashing yellow light?
Flashing Yellow–A flashing yellow traffic signal light warns you to “PROCEED WITH CAUTION.” Slow down and be alert before entering the intersection. Yield to any pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles in the intersection. You do not need to stop for a flashing yellow traffic signal light.
When you approach a school bus with flashing lights?
You must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when you approach from any direction on a highway, private road, or school driveway. Stop and remain stopped until all persons are clear and the bus moves again.
When you come to a four way stop who has the right away?
Almost every driver has had this experience: You arrive at a four-way stop at the same time another car arrives at the stop from a different direction, and a moment of confusion ensues for each driver as they ask themselves, “who has the right of way at a four way stop?” The correct answer is: Drivers should yield to …
Is it illegal to overtake a bus?
It is prohibited to overtake or pass a school bus that is approaching a stopping point, indicated by flashing hazard lights. The police are empowered to confiscate the number plates of illegally parked vehicles throughout the country.