What action should be taken when encountering a school bus with its stop sign extended?

When encountering a school bus with its stop sign extended, you must stop regardless of your direction of travel, unless you are on a divided highway with a physical barrier separating the lanes of traffic. This law is in place to ensure the safety of children who may be boarding or disembarking from the bus. The extended stop sign indicates that children are in the vicinity, and it is imperative to halt your vehicle to prevent accidents.

On a divided highway, the law allows for some leniency because the physical barrier reduces the risk of children crossing into oncoming traffic. However, in all other situations, the expectation is clear: as a driver, your responsibility is to stop whenever you see a school bus with its stop sign extended. This legislation aims to protect vulnerable road users, particularly children, who may be unpredictable near a school bus.