When must drivers activate the amber warning lights?

Drivers must activate the amber warning lights as required by law to ensure the safety of students as they prepare to board or disembark from the school bus. The amber lights serve as a warning to other motorists that the bus is about to stop, prompting them to slow down and be alert for children crossing or nearing the bus. This law is a critical component of school bus safety protocols and is enforced to minimize the risk of accidents in school zones.

While school district policy may offer additional guidance regarding the use of lights, the legal requirement takes precedence and establishes a universal standard for all school bus drivers. It is also important to note that the activation of these lights is not conditional on weather conditions or restricted to just the initial student pick-up; rather, it is uniformly mandated whenever the bus is preparing to stop.