What should you do if you encounter a school bus with its stop sign extended?

When you encounter a school bus with its stop sign extended, the proper action is to stop and wait until the sign is retracted. This law is designed to protect children getting on or off the bus, as the extended stop sign indicates that children may be crossing the road. Stopping ensures their safety and complies with traffic laws, which mandate that all vehicles must halt in both directions when a school bus has its stop sign displayed.

Passing the bus at a higher speed poses significant risks, as it may endanger children in the vicinity. Blowing your horn to alert the bus driver is also inappropriate since the bus driver is already aware of the situation and is focused on the safety of the children. Proceeding with caution does not meet the legal requirement to stop and could lead to serious consequences, including fines or accidents. Therefore, waiting until the stop sign is retracted is the safest and most responsible action to take.