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

When you encounter a school bus with its red lights flashing, it is vital to stop your vehicle regardless of your direction. This rule is in place to protect children who may be getting on or off the bus. The flashing red lights indicate that the bus is either picking up or dropping off students and that children may be present in the area, often crossing the street.

Stopping your vehicle not only obeys the law but also helps to ensure the safety of young pedestrians, who can sometimes be unpredictable. It's important to maintain a safe distance from the bus until the lights stop flashing and the stop sign is retracted, at which point it is safe to proceed.

Other options, like passing the bus, honking, or simply reducing speed, do not adequately protect children and put everyone at risk. Stopping fully allows you to observe the situation and wait until it’s completely safe to move forward.