What should a driver do if they approach a school bus with its arm extended?

When a driver approaches a school bus with its arm extended, the correct action is to come to a complete stop. This is critical for ensuring the safety of children getting on or off the bus. The extended arm signals that it is unsafe to proceed, as children may be crossing the street in front of or behind the bus. Stopping completely allows for the protection of these vulnerable passengers and adheres to traffic laws designed to safeguard children in school zones.

Other actions, such as passing at a reduced speed or honking, do not adequately ensure safety, as children may unpredictably enter the roadway. Accelerating to pass quickly is not only unsafe but also illegal in this situation. Therefore, stopping completely is the appropriate and legal response when faced with a school bus displaying its stop signal.