When is it mandatory to stop for a school bus?

Stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights is a crucial safety rule designed to protect children who are boarding or alighting the bus. When the bus activates its flashing red lights, it indicates that students are either getting on or getting off, signaling drivers to halt their vehicles. This ensures that children can safely cross the road or wait at the bus stop without the risk of oncoming traffic.

It is essential to emphasize the importance of this rule, as children may not always be visible to drivers, and they often do not have the same awareness of traffic as adults. Following this law helps create a safer environment around schools and bus stops.

While it might seem relevant to consider situations such as the proximity of other vehicles or the presence of children outside the bus, the definitive action required is linked to the flashing red lights of the bus. Therefore, regardless of other circumstances, the law clearly mandates stopping when those lights are activated.