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

When you encounter a stopped school bus with its signals flashing, stopping your vehicle and waiting until the signals stop flashing is the correct course of action. This rule is in place to protect children who may be getting on or off the bus. When the lights are activated, it indicates that children are in the immediate vicinity and you must stop to ensure their safety.

The law generally requires that all traffic, in both directions, stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, regardless of the direction you are coming from. Stopping allows the bus drivers to safely monitor children as they cross the street or board the bus. Once the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted, you are then free to continue driving.

This measure is crucial because children can be unpredictable, and their safety is paramount. Opting to pass the bus or proceed cautiously without stopping can jeopardize their safety, as they may dart into the road unexpectedly. Honking your horn does not serve a protective function in this scenario and can instead frighten children or distract the bus driver. Thus, stopping and waiting is the law and a necessary precaution to ensure that the area around the school bus is safe.