How should you position your vehicle in relation to a school bus with lights flashing?

When a school bus has its lights flashing, it signals that children are either boarding or disembarking from the bus, thus creating a situation where extra caution is needed. Stopping your vehicle at least 20 feet away from the bus is the mandated response in this scenario. This distance ensures that you are far enough from the bus to provide a safe environment for children and enables you to react appropriately if a child unexpectedly crosses the road.

This measure not only helps protect the children but also aligns with traffic laws that are designed to prevent accidents in school zones or near buses. By stopping well in advance, you also give other drivers on the road time to react appropriately, contributing to overall safety. It’s crucial to treat the flashing lights of a school bus with the same seriousness as a traffic signal; thus stopping is essential.