Lighting the Way: High-Visibility Safety Upgrades for School Buses

When it comes to hauling precious cargo, nothing matters more than safety — and now, IC Bus is taking it to the next level.International Motors, LLC and IC Bus, LLC recently announced that their Next Generation IC Bus™ Electric CE Series school buses are getting a major safety upgrade. All new electric CE Series buses will come standard with First Light’s Illuminated School Bus Signs (ISBS) and Fully Illuminated Stop Arms (FISA). And that's just the beginning — by the end of 2025, these upgrades will also be standard on their traditional internal combustion engine buses.

What’s the big deal about these new features? Visibility, visibility, visibility.

The First Light ISBS and FISA aren't your average safety lights. They're designed to catch a driver's attention quickly. They can be spotted from over 1,000 feet away and are readable from more than 300 feet out. That gives other drivers much more time to recognize a stopped bus and react properly, helping to cut down on potentially dangerous stop arm violations.

Charles Chilton, Vice President and General Manager of IC Bus, put it best:"Safely transporting the children of our communities is a responsibility that IC Bus takes incredibly seriously."He emphasized that when the new CE Series launched back in 2023, safety wasn't just part of the package — it was the top priority. These new illuminated signs and stop arms are the next step in making sure buses and the kids on board are as safe as possible.

For school bus drivers and fleet operators, this is welcome news. It’s one more layer of protection out on the road. And for truckers sharing the road with school buses, better visibility at a distance means fewer surprises and safer stops for everyone.

At the end of the day, whether you're hauling a load across town or running your morning bus route, safety starts with seeing — and being seen. Stay safe out there, and keep your eyes open. Those flashing signs are working overtime to protect our communities.