Under Ontario law, when a school bus stops with its red signals flashing, other drivers must
- stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped. ✓
- stop before reaching the bus and then proceed with added care.
- sound their horn and proceed with added care.
- slow down and pass with added care.
Answer: A. stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped.
You must stop before reaching the school bus and remain stopped until its red lights stop flashing and the stop arm folds away.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says you must stop whenever you approach a stopped school bus with its upper alternating red lights flashing, whether you are behind it or coming from the front. It also says to remain stopped until the stop-sign arm folds away and all lights stop flashing, and that failing to stop is illegal. That is why the correct action is to stop before reaching the bus and stay stopped, not just slow down or continue after a brief pause.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. stop before reaching the bus and then proceed with added care. — Stopping and then moving on with extra care is wrong because the flashing red lights and stop arm require you to stay stopped until they stop.
- C. sound their horn and proceed with added care. — Sounding the horn and continuing with extra care is wrong because the handbook requires a stop, not a warning signal, when the red lights are flashing.
- D. slow down and pass with added care. — Slowing down and passing with extra care is wrong because passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights is illegal; you must stop.
Remember it
Use the bus itself as your signal: no movement from you until its arm is back in and its lights are dark.
Official handbook: Official MTO Truck Handbook, Stopping for school buses