What does it mean when you see amber lights flashing near the top of a school bus?

When amber lights begin flashing on top of a school bus, they mean that the school bus is slowing down and preparing to stop. You must proceed with caution and watch for children by the side of the road. Remember, children are often unpredictable and may not see you coming.

Why do school buses have flashing lights on top?

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.

When you see the flashing amber lights on the top front and back of a school bus you should?

When you meet an oncoming school bus displaying flashing amber lights, you must slow down to no more than 20 mph and be prepared to stop. If the red lights are flashing or if the stop arm is out, you must come to a complete stop at least 15 feet from the bus.

What do the lights mean on a school bus?

School buses are like traffic signals:

When overhead lights are flashing yellow: Prepare to stop. When overhead lights are flashing red: Stop. When hazard warning lights are flashing: Proceed with caution.

What do flashing lights on a bus mean?

Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. By law, a driver must not overtake or pass a bus with flashing lights at more than 40km/h. Lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors open, and they keep flashing for about 20 seconds after the doors close.

School Bus Life: What's Those Lights Flashing on the Bus?

What are the amber lights on a school bus?

When a bus has alternating flashing amber (yellow) lights on, it is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Be ready to stop and watch for children in the roadway. Parents… are very important in helping keep children safe on the school bus.

What should you do if a school bus has its amber yellow lights flashing?

Yellow, or amber, lights mean caution.

When amber lights begin flashing on top of a school bus, they mean that the school bus is slowing down and preparing to stop. You must proceed with caution and watch for children by the side of the road.

What does it mean when a school bus displays yellow flashing lights?

Two-lane road and the school bus is displaying flashing yellow lights: Flashing yellow lights are an indication that the bus is going to stop. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing.

Can you go around a school bus with yellow flashing lights?

When you're traveling behind a school bus that begins flashing their lights the answer is very clear; you need to stop. As the yellow lights come on the speed limit is reduced to 20mph, regardless of what the street signs say. So attempting to speed up and pass the bus is an absolute violation of the law.

What color lights do school buses flash?

Bus drivers trigger the flashing yellow lights on the upper half of the bus as a warning that they are about to stop. They are typically activated about 200 feet prior to stopping. Once the bus actually stops, the flashing red lights will go on and all traffic will also be required to stop.

Can you pass a school bus with flashing yellow lights in Ontario?

How it works is bus drivers would flick on the amber lights. Motorists behind and approaching the bus would see the lights. Drivers can still pass the bus while the amber lights are on. It's a warning that the bus is about to stop and flash its red lights and extend the stop arm.

Does school bus have camera in Ontario?

In September 2020, Ontario permitted the installation of stop-arm surveillance cameras on these buses to be able to record any cars passing by.

How long is a school bus?

School buses range anywhere from 20 to 45 feet in length. In general, buses that are 20-25 feet long are considered mini or short. While buses that are 25-35 feet long fall into the mid-size category, and buses over 35 feet are full-sized.

Where is the strobe light on a school bus?

State specs often call for the strobes to be mounted on the longitudinal centerline in the rear third of the roof, but some states allow them near the front as well. Mississippi gives bus operators the option of installing a strobe above the driver's head area or near the rear.

Why are some school buses white on top?

A pilot program in North Carolina in the early 1990s tested the theory that a school bus with a white roof would make for a cooler experience for the passengers. The results were profound. The program found white-topped buses had internal temperatures an average of 10 degrees cooler than yellow topped buses.

What colors do you see on emergency vehicles?

Blue is used for police, red for ambulances and combination of red and blue for fire trucks. Yellow is used for buses and trucks such as pick ups and tow trucks.

Is it lawful to pass a school bus when the amber lights are activated?

is it lawful to pass a school bus when AMBER lights are activated? yes! use caution. (red lights= do not pass.)

What should you do if you are driving near a stopped school bus with flashing lights quizlet?

When approaching a school bus that displays flashing red lights or a stop signal, the vehicle must come to a full stop and remain in this position while the bus is stopped. The vehicle shall not pass the bus until the signal has been withdrawn.

Do school buses have cameras in California?

Do School Buses Have Cameras in California? California school buses are not allowed to have cameras on the bus while it is being operated. In some states, these cameras are used to monitor drivers around the bus as well as the behavior of the driver at train crossings and other mandatory stops.

Do school buses have turn signals?

Transit buses have floor-mounted turn signals because the drivers need to use their hands for other things (taking money, opening the door, talking into the PA, etc) while using the signals. Many school buses have hi beam switches on the floor, simply as a matter of tradition.

Can you pass a school bus with flashing yellow lights in Florida?

False—All vehicles must remain stopped until all bus signals have been withdrawn. False—Vehicles are required to stop only when red flashing lights are displayed. Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is slowing to make a stop.

Can you pass a school bus with flashing yellow lights in California?

According to California law, drivers must stop when a school bus stops in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing lights.

When approaching a school bus stop you should activate your overhead amber lights How far from the bus stop?

Explanation The driver of a school bus must activate their amber warning lights at least 300 feet before reaching a bus stop to warn surrounding drivers about the upcoming stop.

What are the yellow 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. What about those flashing yellow lights on top of the bus? Prepare to stop.

Can you pass a school bus in Illinois?

Illinois law states that it is illegal to pass a school bus (with its stop sign arm out and red lights flashing) that is stopped to pick up or discharge riders.