What should you do if you encounter a stopped school bus with its lights flashing?

When you encounter a stopped school bus with its lights flashing, the correct action is to stop your vehicle. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of children who may be boarding or disembarking from the bus. The flashing lights are a signal that indicates children might be nearby, and they need a safe environment to cross the street or get on and off the bus.

Stopping is essential because it allows children to move safely to and from the bus without the risk of being hit by passing vehicles. Laws regarding school bus safety are very strict, and failure to stop can lead to severe penalties, including fines and points on your driving record.

The other options do not prioritize safety for the children and go against traffic laws. For instance, driving past slowly or accelerating to pass the bus puts children at significant risk, while honking your horn could startle them or be interpreted as a sign to cross the street when it’s not safe. Thus, the appropriate and legal response is to come to a complete stop until the bus’s lights are no longer flashing.