In North Carolina, when must you stop for a school zone sign?

The requirement to stop for a school zone sign in North Carolina primarily revolves around the safety of children. The correct answer indicates that you must stop when children are present and the sign is active. This means that drivers should be particularly vigilant and cautious during the times when students are arriving or leaving school, which is often indicated by flashing lights or specific times displayed on the sign.

In a school zone, the presence of children signifies a higher risk due to their potential unpredictability. Thus, the traffic laws are specifically designed to protect their safety by requiring drivers to reduce speed and, when necessary, stop to allow children to cross safely.

While stopping at all times would provide a high level of safety, it is not practical when children are not present. Thus, the law is tailored to be active during those times when children are likely to be around. This helps balance safety with the flow of traffic outside of peak school hours, such as during weekends when it is less likely that students will be present.