What is the recommended stopping distance behind a stopped school bus with flashing lights?

The recommended stopping distance behind a stopped school bus with flashing lights is at least 20 meters. This guideline is crucial for ensuring the safety of children boarding or disembarking from the bus. School buses are equipped with flashing lights to signal that they are either picking up or dropping off students, and stopping at this distance provides a sufficient buffer to react to any unforeseen movements of children.

A distance of 20 meters typically allows drivers enough time to observe the situation and provide a safe environment for students as they cross the street or approach the bus. Additionally, this distance helps maintain visibility for the bus driver as well, preventing any accidents that might occur due to closeness to the bus. Adhering to this recommended distance is not only a safety measure but is also usually part of state laws regarding school bus safety.