Which safety feature is essential for maintaining passenger safety in a school bus?

Answer: C — Emergency exit windows

The essential safety feature for maintaining passenger safety in a school bus is the emergency exit windows. These windows are crucial for providing a safe means of escape in the event of an emergency situation, such as a collision or fire. They are strategically placed to ensure that passengers can exit the vehicle quickly if necessary, which is particularly important given the unique environment and circumstances of school buses, where passengers are often children. While other options like three-point seat belts and anti-lock braking systems are also significant for overall safety—seat belts securing passengers during normal operation and anti-lock brakes preventing wheel lockup during hard braking—they do not primarily serve the purpose of evacuation. Child safety locks are important for preventing children from accidentally opening doors while the bus is in motion but do not address escape in emergencies. Focusing on emergency exit windows highlights the importance of rapid evacuation options in keeping passengers safe when immediate action is required.