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

Answer: B — Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing

When encountering a school bus with its red lights flashing, the correct action is to stop and wait until the lights stop flashing. This is a crucial safety measure designed to protect children who may be getting on or off the bus. The red flashing lights serve as a warning to drivers that they must halt their vehicle to ensure the safety of students. When the bus activates its red lights, it indicates that children are either boarding or disembarking, and stopping is necessary to prevent accidents. In many states, including Connecticut, the law requires drivers to stop regardless of the direction from which they are approaching the bus unless there is a divided highway with a physical barrier. Passing or attempting to maneuver around a school bus while the lights are flashing can endanger children's lives and may result in legal consequences, such as fines or points on your driving record. Alerting the bus driver through honking is inappropriate in this context and can be distracting, while speeding up would be extremely unsafe, putting children at risk. This law aims to create a safe environment for children around school buses, emphasizing caution and adherence to traffic regulations.