Which safety feature should drivers check before beginning their route?

Before beginning a route, drivers must prioritize safety features to ensure the well-being of passengers, particularly when it comes to exterior lights and signals. Checking these components is crucial because they are essential for visibility and communication with other road users. Exterior lights, including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights, play a critical role in making the school bus visible to others, especially in low-light conditions or during inclement weather.

Ensuring that all exterior lights and signals function properly helps prevent accidents and allows the driver to communicate their actions to other drivers effectively, thus enhancing overall road safety. Other aspects, such as emergency exit availability or equipment for passenger comfort, are important as well, but the immediate function of exterior lights and signals is vital for safe operation during the journey.