When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing, you must

1. stop and wait until the lights stop flashing ✓
2. watch for children and be ready to stop
3. stop, check for children and proceed
4. slow down and be ready to stop

Answer: A. stop and wait until the lights stop flashing

You must stop and stay stopped until the bus's red lights stop flashing and it signals it is safe to go.

Why this is the answer

The handbook says that when a school bus has alternating flashing red lights at the top, you must stop whether you are coming from the front or the rear, and vehicles in all lanes must stop. It also says not to start moving again until the bus moves on or the driver turns off the lights and pulls in the stop sign. Waiting is what keeps children safe while they get on or off the bus.

Why the other answers are wrong

• B. watch for children and be ready to stop — Watching for children and being ready to stop is not enough, because the handbook requires a full stop when the red lights are flashing.
• C. stop, check for children and proceed — Stopping and then going ahead is wrong, since you must stay stopped until the bus moves on or the driver signals it is safe.
• D. slow down and be ready to stop — Slowing down and being ready to stop falls short of the rule, which calls for a complete stop in all lanes, from either direction.

Remember it

Treat the bus's flashing red lights like a stop sign that stays red until the bus driver clears it.