Should you use your hazard lights when arriving at a school bus stop?

Using hazard lights when arriving at a school bus stop is not necessary and can actually create confusion for other drivers. The primary purpose of hazard lights is to indicate a vehicle is temporarily stopped or in distress, which might mislead other drivers who see your bus with its lights on. In school zones, the focus should be on clear communication of safety signals specific to school bus operations.

When a school bus is picking up or dropping off students, it is already equipped with flashing lights that indicate to other drivers that they must stop and remain stopped until the lights are off and the students are safely on board or off the bus. Therefore, the use of hazard lights is not appropriate in this situation. Rather, the school bus’s stop signal and flashing lights should be relied upon to ensure drivers are aware of the bus's activity and the presence of children.

This knowledge underlines the importance of adhering to the established laws and practices associated with school bus safety.