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

When a driver encounters a school bus with its stop arm extended, the correct response is to stop until the arm is retracted. This traffic rule is designed to protect children getting on and off the bus. The stop arm serves as a warning to all vehicles that children may be crossing the street, and it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended in many jurisdictions, including Delaware.

Stopping ensures the safety of children in the vicinity who may be walking to or from the bus. Compliance with this rule helps to create a safer environment for school children, as they are often unaware of traffic when they are focused on their bus stop. This action not only adheres to the law but also promotes responsible driving behavior.

Other responses—continuing to drive, slowing down to proceed carefully, or honking—do not adequately address the need to ensure that children are safe before resuming travel, which is the primary purpose of the stop arm on a school bus.