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

When you encounter a school bus with flashing red lights, the appropriate action is to stop until the lights stop flashing. This indicates that children may be getting on or off the bus, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Stopping ensures the safety of the children as they cross the road or remain in the vicinity of the bus. The law mandates that drivers come to a complete stop when a school bus activates its red lights, and this rule is strictly enforced to protect the lives of students.

Passing a bus while its lights are flashing can endanger children who are not easily visible due to various factors, like traffic or obstructions. Honking your horn may startle children or distract them when they are trying to cross safely. Accelerating past a stopped school bus also poses a serious risk, as it doesn't allow for adequate reaction time should a child suddenly appear in the roadway. Therefore, stopping until the flashing lights cease is the only correct action to take in this scenario.