What action should be taken upon encountering a school bus with flashing lights while responding to a call?

When encountering a school bus with flashing lights, the safest and most appropriate action is to stop and proceed only after receiving a proper signal from the bus driver. This is because the flashing lights indicate that children may be boarding or disembarking from the bus, making it crucial to ensure their safety.

Stopping allows drivers to observe the surroundings for any children who may be crossing the street or moving in the vicinity of the bus. While responding to emergencies is important, the safety of children must be prioritized in such scenarios. Proper protocol mandates that you wait until the bus driver gives a clear signal indicating that it is safe to proceed.

This action aligns with traffic laws in many jurisdictions that require vehicles to stop for school buses with their warning lights activated, reflecting the importance of protecting vulnerable road users, especially children.