What must you do when approaching a school bus with lights flashing and stop arm extended?

When approaching a school bus with its lights flashing and stop arm extended, the correct action is to stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. This is a critical safety measure designed to protect children who may be getting on or off the bus. The flashing lights and extended stop arm serve as an indication that children may be present in the vicinity, and drivers must exercise caution and ensure the safety of these children by coming to a complete stop.

This distance ensures that there is adequate space between the bus and your vehicle, allowing children to cross the road safely, as they might not always be visible from a distance. It's important to adhere to this distance requirement as failure to stop can result in legal penalties and, more importantly, puts children's lives at risk.

Proceeding cautiously while looking for children does promote safety, but it does not satisfy the legal requirements. Honking the horn can startle children and potentially lead to dangerous situations, and waiting for the bus to move before proceeding could lead to violating traffic laws if the bus remains stationary due to children being present. Thus, stopping at least 20 feet away is the responsible and legally required action in this scenario.