What does it mean when a school bus is stopped and its red lights are flashing?
- You may pass if no children are on the road
- You may not pass while the red lights are flashing ✓
- You may pass if you are facing the front of the bus
- You may pass if it is on the other side of a divided highway
Answer: B. You may not pass while the red lights are flashing
You may not pass while the red lights are flashing on a stopped school bus.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says that when a stopped school bus has its red lights flashing, vehicles coming from either direction must stop before they reach it. It also says to stop at least 20 feet away. You remain stopped until the bus starts moving again or the bus driver or a traffic officer signals you. Because the rule is based on the flashing red lights, not on whether you see children or which side of the bus you face, passing is not allowed.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. You may pass if no children are on the road — A clear road does not cancel the rule; the flashing red lights require approaching traffic to stop before reaching the bus.
- C. You may pass if you are facing the front of the bus — Facing the front of the bus does not create an exception, because traffic approaching from either direction must stop, including in front of a school.
- D. You may pass if it is on the other side of a divided highway — Being on the other side of a divided highway is not a reason to pass here, because the handbook says traffic approaching from either direction must stop.
Remember it
Red lights on a stopped school bus mean stop and wait; do not drive past until it moves or you are signaled.
Official handbook: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 6: Passing – School Buses