What is an essential action for ensuring student safety during loading and unloading at bus stops?

Using the bus's stop sign and flashing lights is a crucial action for ensuring student safety during loading and unloading at bus stops. When the stop sign is extended and the lights are flashing, it signals to other drivers that they must come to a complete stop. This is imperative for the safety of students who may be entering or exiting the bus. It creates a designated zone around the bus where children can safely move to and from the vehicle without the risk of oncoming traffic.

This safety measure is mandated by law, and it significantly decreases the chances of accidents by clearly communicating to surrounding vehicles that they need to yield to the students. Adhering to this practice ensures that all students have a safe passage when boarding or disembarking from the bus, minimizing potential dangers associated with traffic.