Which statement regarding school crossings is false?

When examining the requirements at school crossings, it is important to understand the rules designed to protect children's safety. The statement indicating that it is mandatory to stop only when a guard is present is false because drivers must be prepared to stop at school crossings regardless of whether a crossing guard is there or not. The presence of children in these areas requires a heightened level of caution, and drivers are expected to yield to students crossing the road at all times, not just when a guard is present.

Additionally, the laws are structured to promote safety by ensuring that vehicles come to a stop to let children cross whenever they are present, thereby reinforcing the idea that children may appear suddenly and unpredictably. Therefore, drivers should always be vigilant and ready to stop for both children and crossing guards, creating a safer environment around schools. This vigilance helps in preventing accidents, making it critical that all drivers understand and adhere to these rules at school crossings.