What should you do if you encounter a school bus with its lights flashing?

When you encounter a school bus with its lights flashing, stopping your vehicle and waiting is the correct response because it ensures the safety of children who may be boarding or disembarking from the bus. The flashing lights serve as a warning to all drivers that the bus is either picking up or dropping off students, and it is crucial to give children the time and space to do so safely.

In many jurisdictions, it is a legal requirement to stop when the yellow or red lights are activated on a school bus. This rule is in place to protect young, vulnerable pedestrians who might unexpectedly cross the street to either board or leave the bus. Stopping your vehicle provides a necessary buffer and enhances their safety during this critical time.

Choosing to speed past the bus disregards these safety protocols and puts children at risk. Similarly, honking your horn or continuing to drive if no children are visible does not account for the possibility that children might suddenly appear or be out of sight from the driver's perspective. Therefore, the responsible action is to stop and wait until the bus lights are turned off and it is safe to proceed.