A school bus is stopped ahead of you in your lane with its red lights flashing. You should:
- Stop and proceed when you think all of the children have exited the bus.
- Slow to 25 mph and pass cautiously.
- Stop for as long as the red lights are flashing. ✓
Answer: C. Stop for as long as the red lights are flashing.
You should stop for as long as the red lights are flashing.
Why this is the answer
The California Driver Handbook says that when a school bus flashes red lights, you must stop from either direction. You stay stopped until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing. The handbook also says to remain stopped while the red lights are flashing. That makes the red lights, not your own guess about when the children are clear, the signal that controls when you may go.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Stop and proceed when you think all of the children have exited the bus. — Stopping and then going when you think all 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 the handbook requires a full stop for a school bus flashing red lights, not a slow pass.
Remember it
Treat the bus's red flashing lights as your signal to stay stopped until they go off.