What should a driver do when approaching a school bus with flashing lights?

When approaching a school bus that is displaying flashing lights, the correct action for a driver is to stop and wait until the bus has turned off its lights. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of children boarding or disembarking the bus. The flashing lights indicate that the bus is either picking up or dropping off students, and stopping allows for a safe distance for children to cross the road, if necessary.

In many states, including Virginia, laws require drivers to halt their vehicles when a school bus has its stop sign extended and lights activated. This is a critical safety measure to protect young children, who may not always be aware of their surroundings and may suddenly enter the roadway.

Other options like accelerating past the bus, honking to alert the bus driver, or merging into the opposite lane compromise student safety and violate traffic laws. These actions can lead to severe accidents and legal penalties for drivers who do not comply with established safety regulations regarding school buses. Therefore, stopping and waiting is not only the safest choice but also a legal requirement.