What is the purpose of school bus warning lights?

• A. They indicate the bus is turning and drivers may proceed slowly.
• B. They alert drivers that children are boarding or disembarking; drivers must stop.
• C. They indicate the bus is about to refuel.
• D. They are decorative only.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is safety: school bus warning lights are there to signal that children may be boarding or disembarking, so drivers must stop to protect them. When the amber lights flash, the bus is preparing to stop and children may be getting on or off soon. When the red flashing lights are active (often with the stop arm extended), the bus has stopped and children are crossing or loading, so traffic must stop to let them proceed safely. This clear signaling helps prevent accidents because kids can move unpredictably near the roadway.

Other options don’t fit because the lights aren’t decorative, they aren’t for signaling a turn or fueling, and their purpose is specifically to manage traffic flow around boarding and disembarking students.