When you see this yellow sign, you should:
Always stop at the crosswalk.
Stop at the crosswalk until a crossing guards signals for you to go.
Be prepared to stop if children are in the crosswalk.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Be prepared to stop if children are in the crosswalk.
This yellow sign indicates a school crossing, meaning you are approaching an area where children may be walking across the street. It’s important to be aware that when you see this sign, it signals that you are entering a zone where children may be present and crossing at any time, particularly around school hours.
Here’s why the correct answer is to be prepared to stop:
- School Zones Require Increased Vigilance: School zones are specifically designed to keep children safe while they are walking to or from school. Children are often less predictable in their behavior than adults, and they may cross the street suddenly or without warning. Drivers must be prepared for this unpredictability.
- Signaling and Stopping: While you are not always required to stop immediately upon seeing this sign, you should reduce your speed and be prepared to stop. The sign is meant to alert drivers that they are entering a school zone and must stay alert for potential pedestrian traffic.
- Traffic Laws and School Zones: In most places, traffic laws are stricter in school zones, and penalties for failing to stop or yield to children can be severe. For example, in New York, drivers must yield to children in crosswalks, even if no crossing guard is present. This emphasizes the need to stop when necessary for the safety of children.
- Presence of Crossing Guards: If a crossing guard is present, they will signal when it is safe to cross. However, even without a crossing guard, drivers must remain cautious and prepared to stop at any time.
- Final Reminder: The purpose of the sign is to remind drivers that children may be walking or running into the crosswalk at any moment. Therefore, the safe approach is always to be prepared to stop when you see this sign.