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

When you encounter a school bus with its lights flashing, the correct action to take is to stop unless you are on the opposite side of a divided road. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of children as they enter or exit the bus. The flashing lights indicate that children may be nearby and could be crossing the road, hence stopping is critical to prevent accidents.

Stopping is not just about obeying traffic laws but is a necessary precaution to protect vulnerable children who may not be fully aware of their surroundings. On a divided road, where there is a physical barrier separating lanes, the rules change slightly since vehicles traveling in the opposite direction are not facing the same potential danger. In most cases, however, if you see a school bus with its lights on, your responsibility is to slow down and stop to allow students the chance to cross safely.