If you encounter a school bus with flashing lights, what is your best course of action?

When you encounter a school bus with flashing lights, the best course of action is to stop and wait until the lights stop flashing. This approach is critical for ensuring the safety of children who may be boarding or disembarking from the bus.

School buses are equipped with flashing lights to alert drivers that they are picking up or dropping off students. The law typically requires all vehicles to come to a complete stop when a school bus has its lights activated, as children are often in the vicinity and may not always be visible. By stopping, you ensure that you are not putting anyone at risk and are adhering to traffic laws designed to protect the most vulnerable road users.

Passing the bus quickly, honking the horn, or speeding past while looking for children not only violates traffic regulations but also endangers the lives of children who may be crossing the street. Therefore, stopping until the lights turn off is the safest and most responsible choice you can make.