How should you respond to a school bus that has its stop sign extended?

When a school bus has its stop sign extended, the appropriate and lawful response is to stop your vehicle, regardless of the direction you are approaching from. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of children who may be boarding or disembarking from the bus.

Stopping when the stop sign is extended allows children to cross the street safely, as they might not always be aware of approaching vehicles. Traffic laws are designed to protect the most vulnerable road users, and this is a prime example of such a law in action. The layout of the law is clear: vehicles in both directions must come to a complete stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off students.

Ignoring this requirement by speeding up, maintaining speed, or trying to alert the bus driver could lead to dangerous situations and potentially serious accidents. It is crucial to respect this stop sign and prioritize safety on the roads, particularly in school zones where children are present.