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

When a school bus has yellow flashing lights, it indicates that the bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off students. This is a crucial safety feature designed to alert surrounding traffic that the bus is about to make a stop, and drivers should be prepared to slow down and exercise caution.

The activation of yellow lights serves as a warning that the bus will soon engage its red flashing lights, which signal that the bus has come to a complete stop, and students may be boarding or disembarking. Understanding this signaling system is vital for ensuring the safety of students as well as maintaining safety in bus zones.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately describe the function of the yellow flashing lights. For instance, if the bus were experiencing a mechanical issue or if it were letting passengers off, those situations would not specifically trigger the yellow lights. Additionally, the bus approaching a school zone is not directly related to the purpose of the yellow lights, as those alert for stops specifically, rather than indicating proximity to a school zone.