You should not use your flashing red lights or stop arm on a school bus unless you are at least what distance from any intersection?

The requirement to activate flashing red lights and deploy the stop arm on a school bus is crucial for ensuring the safety of children as they enter or exit the bus. The correct distance of 60 meters (approximately 200 feet) from any intersection before using these signals helps provide an adequate buffer zone for other vehicles to react appropriately. This distance allows approaching drivers ample time to notice the signals and stop safely, thereby reducing the risk of accidents in situations where children may be crossing the roadway.

Using the flashing red lights and stop arm within this specified distance ensures compliance with road safety regulations and reinforces the importance of vigilance when driving near school buses, especially when children are involved. This measure emphasizes that the activation of these signals should not be a sudden occurrence that catches other drivers off guard, particularly in areas close to intersections where traffic movement can be unpredictable.