When you are behind a stopped school bus with alternating flashing lights on the top of, you should
- stop. ✓
- slow down and then pass when clear.
- pass slowly on the left.
- None of the above
Answer: A. stop.
You should stop. When a school bus has alternating flashing lights on top, traffic must stop.
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 approach from the front or from behind. It also says vehicles in all lanes must stop. You should not begin moving again until the bus moves on or the driver signals that it is safe, which the handbook describes as turning off the lights and pulling in the stop sign. This rule leaves no room to slow down and pass or to pass slowly on the left.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. slow down and then pass when clear. — Slowing down and passing when clear is wrong because the handbook requires a full stop, not just reduced speed, when the bus has its alternating flashing lights on.
- C. pass slowly on the left. — Passing slowly on the left is wrong because vehicles in all lanes must stop, so you cannot go around the bus while its lights are flashing.
- D. None of the above — None of the above is wrong because stopping is exactly what the handbook requires in this situation.
Remember it
Flashing lights on a school bus mean stop and wait; move only after the lights go off and the stop sign is pulled in.