Minnesota Blue Card Practice Test

How many feet before a school bus stops in a speed zone of 35 mph or less will flashing yellow lights be activated?

1. 100 feet

2. 150 feet

3. 200 feet

4. 250 feet

The correct answer is: 100 feet

Flashing yellow lights on a school bus are an important safety feature designed to alert drivers that the bus is preparing to stop to allow children to board or disembark. In a speed zone of 35 mph or less, these yellow lights are activated when the bus is approximately 100 feet away from the stopping location. This distance gives ample warning to motorists to reduce their speed and prepare to stop, ensuring the safety of children near the bus. Such regulations are crucial for maintaining safety in school zones and providing a clear and standardized signal to drivers. The precise distance of 100 feet is based on ensuring that vehicles have enough time to react while still being close enough for the message to be effectively communicated. This distance is established in state laws to promote consistency across different driving situations involving school buses.