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

When you see a school bus with its stop lights flashing, the correct action is to stop your vehicle and wait until the lights are turned off. This signifies that children are either getting on or off the bus, and it is critical for their safety that all vehicles come to a complete stop in both directions. The law is designed to protect children, as they may not be aware of traffic and could unexpectedly enter the roadway.

Stopping ensures that any children in the vicinity can cross safely without the risk of vehicles coming through the bus’s stop signal. It’s important to remember that the flashing lights serve as a warning to all motorists, and failing to stop can lead to serious consequences, including legal penalties and threats to child safety.

Other responses, such as slowing down and proceeding cautiously, would not provide the necessary safety measures that stopping entails. Accelerating to pass quickly not only disregards the bus’s signals but also significantly increases the risk of an accident involving children. Lastly, honking your horn is not a safe or appropriate response to the situation and could further distract or endanger children who are crossing the street.