School Zone and Pedestrian Signs
School-zone and pedestrian signs protect the most vulnerable road users. The Florida test asks you to recognize school signs by shape and color, obey school-zone speeds, and know when you must stop for a school bus or a pedestrian.
School signs and zones
School crossing signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons showing walking children. School-zone speed limit signs are usually posted with flashing beacons; the limit is commonly 20 mph but always obey the posted number. The limit applies when the beacons flash or during the posted times, and sometimes whenever children are present. A school crossing guard has authority to stop traffic.
School buses
When a school bus displays flashing red lights and its stop arm, you must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop and the arm retracts. This applies in both directions on an undivided road. On a divided highway with four or more lanes, traffic on the opposite side of the median does not have to stop. Never pass a bus on the shoulder or in a parking lot.
Pedestrians
Pedestrian crossing signs warn of crosswalks; yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Countdown signals show remaining seconds, not a guarantee. Push-button signs and 'no pedestrian crossing' signs tell you where crossing is prohibited. A blind pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog has the right of way.
Worked example
A two-lane road, a bus stopped ahead with red lights flashing and stop arm out. Traffic behind the bus and oncoming traffic must both stop. You wait until the lights stop and the arm folds back. If the same bus were on a four-lane divided highway and you were on the opposite side of the median, you could continue, but you should still slow and watch for children.
Traps that cost marks
Do not stop only when you see children; the flashing red lights are the trigger. Do not treat the pentagon as a warning diamond. Do not ignore a school-zone beacon because school looks closed; the sign's times control. Do not stop in the crosswalk or on the stop line when yielding to pedestrians.