How should a driver react if a child runs towards the bus?

When a child runs towards the bus, the most responsible and safe reaction is to stop immediately and use the bus's horn if necessary. This response prioritizes the safety of the child by ensuring that the bus comes to a halt and that the driver can alert the child and others around to the potential danger. Stopping allows the driver to assess the situation, ensuring the child has enough time to move away from the bus safely.

Reacting in any other way, such as speeding up or continuing to drive, would endanger the child and create a serious risk of an accident. Ignoring the child could result in tragic consequences, as the driver would not be able to prevent harm while the child is running towards the bus. Safety protocols in operating a school bus emphasize vigilance and proactive measures in such scenarios, making the correct reaction the most critical aspect of ensuring not only the child's safety but also the overall safety of all passengers and pedestrians.