If you approach a stopped school bus that has its lights flashing and signal arm extended, you should:
- Stop. ✓
- Proceed at 15 mph if no children are present.
- Proceed at normal speed, but watch for children.
Answer: A. Stop.
Stop and remain stopped while the school bus's red lights are flashing.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says that when a school bus flashes red lights, traffic from either direction must stop and stay stopped until the children have crossed and the lights stop flashing. It also says all vehicles must stop for school buses. That rule does not allow you to creep past at a lower speed or keep going at normal speed while watching for children.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Proceed at 15 mph if no children are present. — Proceeding at 15 mph is wrong because the handbook requires a full stop while the red lights are flashing, not a slow roll past.
- C. Proceed at normal speed, but watch for children. — Proceeding at normal speed is wrong because watching for children does not replace stopping and remaining stopped while the bus's red lights are flashing.
Remember it
Treat the bus's red flashers like a red traffic signal: stop and wait.