What action is required if you encounter a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing?

When you encounter a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, the correct action is to stop until the lights stop flashing. This is an important safety measure designed to protect children who may be getting on or off the bus. The flashing red lights indicate that children are present, and vehicles in both directions must stop to ensure their safety.

This law emphasizes the need for drivers to be vigilant and patient in these situations. The bus is equipped with these lights to alert drivers that they must cease all movement until it is safe to proceed. Ignoring this signal not only endangers children's lives but can also result in legal consequences for the driver.

While some might consider passing carefully while looking for children, this can lead to serious risks as children may unexpectedly cross the road or not be in clear sight. Continuing to drive at your usual speed is not safe and directly contradicts traffic laws regarding school buses. Stopping only if there are children present disregards the fact that the flashing lights alone signify the need to halt for everyone’s safety. Thus, stopping until the lights cease to flash is crucial for maintaining a safe environment around school buses.