Final answer:
Red lights going on and off on a school bus indicate that the bus is about to stop to let children on or off. This is a safety measure comparable to traffic signals at intersections to provide safe crossing for pedestrians.
Step-by-step explanation:
When red lights are going on and off on a school bus, it indicates that the bus is about to stop and children are getting on or off. This is a critical safety feature designed to alert drivers on the road to stop to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the students as they enter or exit the bus. A traffic signal performs a similar function by allowing pedestrians to cross roads at appropriate times, thereby enhancing pedestrian safety.
Contrastingly, the red lights flashing does not signify a mechanical issue, the bus signaling a turn, or that the bus is out of service. Drivers should always adhere to traffic rules, and the law dictates stopping when the red lights on a school bus are flashing, similar to stopping at a red traffic light at an intersection for the safety of all roadway users.