A school bus ahead of you in your lane is stopped with red lights flashing. You should:
- Stop, then proceed when you think all of the children have exited the bus.
- Slow to 25 MPH and pass cautiously.
- Stop as long as the red lights are flashing. ✓
Answer: C. Stop as long as the red lights are flashing.
Stop and remain stopped as long as the school bus red lights are flashing.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says that when a school bus flashes its red lights, traffic coming from either direction must stop. You stay stopped until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing. The rule does not let you decide when the children seem to be done; the flashing red lights are the signal to remain stopped. So the correct action is to stop and keep waiting as long as those red lights are on.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Stop, then proceed when you think all of the children have exited the bus. — Stopping and then moving when you think the children have exited is wrong because the handbook requires you to remain stopped until the children are safely across and the red lights stop flashing.
- B. Slow to 25 MPH and pass cautiously. — Slowing to 25 mph and passing cautiously is wrong because a stopped school bus with red lights flashing requires a stop from either direction, not a slow pass.
Remember it
Think red means wait: let the bus lights, not your guess about the children, tell you when to move.