What is the first action a school bus driver must take at an unregulated intersection?

At an unregulated intersection, the first action a school bus driver must take is to yield to vehicles on the right. This rule aligns with general traffic laws which dictate that at intersections without signs or signals, drivers are required to yield to vehicles approaching from the right. This action helps to ensure safety and prevent collisions, as it establishes a clear understanding of who has the right-of-way.

Yielding to vehicles on the right helps school bus drivers navigate these situations safely while being mindful of the potential presence of pedestrians and other vehicles. It signifies an approach of caution and awareness, which is paramount, especially given the vulnerability of schoolchildren who may be around the bus.

While looking for pedestrians is indeed a critical action and should always be part of a driver's routine when approaching any intersection, it follows the yielding rule when determining the immediate order of actions. The option to speed through the intersection is unsafe and against traffic laws, while turning on emergency lights typically occurs in situations requiring immediate alerting of other drivers, not as a first response when approaching an unregulated intersection.