What action should a driver take if they encounter a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended?

When a driver encounters a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended, the appropriate action is to stop and wait until the sign is retracted. This regulation is in place to ensure the safety of children who may be boarding or disembarking from the bus. In North Carolina, as well as in many other states, it is a specific law that vehicles must halt when a school bus has its stop arm extended, indicating that children are potentially crossing the road.

The importance of this law lies in its role in protecting vulnerable pedestrians—especially children, who may not always be aware of their surroundings. Stopping provides a crucial buffer, preventing accidents and allowing children to board or exit the bus safely.

The other choices fail to recognize this critical safety measure. Proceeding cautiously while watching for children could still lead to dangerous situations, as it does not ensure protection for children who may be close to the bus. Speeding by the stopped bus disregards the law and poses a severe risk to the children nearby. Honking to alert children does not provide any added safety and may even be distracting or startling to them. Hence, stopping and waiting for the signal to change is the only correct response in this situation.