Newer buses have flashing yellow (the state calls them “amber”) as well as flashing red lights. Bus drivers are required to trigger the yellow lights 200 feet before their stop as a warning to motorists, similar to a yellow light on a traffic signal. Once the bus stops, the red lights go on and all traffic must stop.
What color are school bus lights?
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.
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.
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 does flashing red lights mean on a school bus?
Flashing red lights warn motorists that the school bus is loading or unloading students. When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended, you must stop your vehicle at least 20 feet from the bus.
Can you go around a school 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 will happen to me if I passed a bus flashing yellow lights that had just put up its stop sign as I was already beside the bus?
So, unless you’re right up on the bus as the lights turn on and stopping your vehicle abruptly would cause you the be rear-ended, you need to slow down and come to a full stop as soon as you see the yellow flashing lights.
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.
What should you do if a school bus has its amber yellow lights flashing *?
When motorists see a school bus with yellow lights flashing, they should take that as notice that the red lights will be coming on, just as at a traffic signal. The yellow light is your warning to start slowing down and prepare to stop.
What happens when a school bus is preparing to stop?
When a school bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children, the driver of the bus will activate flashing yellow lights. When these flashing yellow lights are activated, all drivers approaching the school bus should slow down and be prepared to stop.
What are the red lights on a school bus called?
These are called “Hazard light stops” and are allowed in some situations where students will not be crossing the road. Motorists are allowed to pass the bus, but are urged to be alert: Children are unpredictable.
How many lights are on a school bus?
The Eight-Light System
Traffic may pass the school bus when the amber lights are flashing, but should do so with care. Once the red warning lights flash, drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus and stay there until the bus is back in motion or the lights are turned off.
What does it mean when a school bus is stopped and it’s red lights are flashing quizlet?
Yes, you have to stop for a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing whenever you come upon it from behind. It does not matter how many lanes the road has. A flashing red light at an intersection means: Stop and yield the right of way.