• Extended Product Lifespan : These LED-based systems are designed to last longer and require minimal maintenance compared to traditional safety signage .
• Proven Effectiveness : First Light ’ s Fully Illuminated Stop Arm has been independently verified to reduce illegal passing of a stopped school bus by a median of 60.2 percent nationwide !
• In low-light conditions , a medium reduction of 88 percent was achieved . Low-light conditions are among the most dangerous for student safety !
“ The difference between a standard school bus sign and one with First Light ’ s illumination is night and day ,” Gilliam said . “ You can see it from hundreds of feet away , and that means safer conditions for our drivers and students .”
Implementation and Training With funding secured through AIDB ’ s budget allocation for fleet renewal , installation efforts began . While the process has required some scheduling adjustments , it has been relatively seamless thanks to First Light ’ s support and detailed installation guides . “ The vast majority of our fleet consists of Thomas C2 buses , so once our technicians got used to installing the signage on one bus , it became a straightforward process ,” Gilliam said . “ First Light has been phenomenal with support . Anytime we had a question , they were quick to help . That kind of customer service makes all the difference .” Additionally , First Light provided comprehensive training to ensure that AIDB ’ s technicians could efficiently install and maintain the new safety equipment . “ The training was fantastic ,” Gilliam said . “ They walked us through everything , from wiring to troubleshooting , so we feel confident that we can handle any future maintenance in-house .”
Industry-Wide Implications School bus stop safety remains a pressing issue nationwide , with increasing reports of motorists illegally passing stopped school buses
18 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE . COM | MARCH 2025