Motorists approaching a school bus which is stopped with its red signal lights flashing must stop before reaching the bus unless...?

When a school bus is stopped with its red signal lights flashing, it is crucial for motorists to stop to ensure the safety of children boarding or disembarking from the bus. However, one exception to this rule occurs when the road is divided by a median.

A median acts as a physical barrier separating the lanes of traffic, which helps prevent children from crossing directly to the other side of the road if they are getting on or off the bus. In this case, if a vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction and the median is present, it is not necessary for that vehicle to stop. The purpose of this regulation is to enhance road safety while still allowing for the smooth flow of traffic on divided highways.

In scenarios where the road does not have such a division, all vehicles must stop regardless of the number of lanes present to protect the well-being of children interacting with the school bus. Understanding when to stop for a school bus is vital, as these rules are in place to prioritize safety in areas where children are likely to be present.