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

• A. Stop your vehicle until the lights stop flashing
• B. Slow down and pass cautiously
• C. Honk your horn to alert the bus driver
• D. Continue driving at normal speed

Answer: (A)

When you encounter a school bus with flashing red lights, the correct action is to stop your vehicle until the lights stop flashing. This requirement is crucial for the safety of children getting on or off the bus. The flashing red lights and extended stop sign indicate that the bus is actively loading or unloading students, and it is illegal to pass the bus in this situation.

Stopping ensures that you are not endangering children who may be crossing the street or walking in the vicinity of the bus. This law is in place to protect the most vulnerable road users—children—who may not be aware of oncoming traffic.

The other options do not promote safety. Slowing down and passing (as suggested in one option) could lead to serious risks since children might unexpectedly appear from behind the bus. Honking your horn could startle children and the bus driver, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Continuing to drive at normal speed is entirely unacceptable, as it disregards the safety measures intended to protect students.