What do you need to do when approaching a school bus with its stop sign extended?

When you approach a school bus that has its stop sign extended, the law requires you to stop until the stop sign is retracted. This rule is in place to protect children boarding and alighting from the bus, as they may be crossing the street or walking near the bus. The stop sign indicates that children are in the vicinity and that it's unsafe to proceed.

Stopping is critical for safety, as it allows children to enter or exit the bus without the added risk of vehicles passing by. This law applies on both sides of the road, ensuring that regardless of the direction you are coming from, you must stop to prevent accidents.

The other choices do not align with the law regarding school buses. For instance, slowing down and proceeding with caution does not provide the necessary protection for children; honking your horn is neither a legal requirement nor a safe way to alert the driver; and passing the bus when the road is clear disregards the safety rules designed to keep children safe. Thus, stopping until the sign is no longer extended is the correct and legally mandated action.