Before entering or crossing any road with a school bus, what is the first direction a driver should look?

The first direction a driver should look before entering or crossing any road with a school bus is to the left. This is crucial because traffic usually flows from left to right, and looking to the left first allows the driver to assess oncoming vehicles or cyclists that may be approaching. By establishing awareness of any potential hazards in that direction, the driver can make a more informed decision about when it is safe to proceed. It's important to note that after looking left, the driver should also check right, straight ahead, and behind as part of a thorough safety check; however, the left side holds priority due to the typical direction of traffic flow in most regions.