When is it not necessary to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended?

When driving on the opposite side of a divided highway, it is not necessary to stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. This is because divided highways have a physical separation, such as a median or barrier, which prevents traffic in the opposite direction from interfering with the safety of the children boarding or disembarking from the bus. This safety feature allows drivers in the opposing lanes to continue without stopping, as the risk to children is significantly mitigated by the separation.

In contrast, in residential areas or on one-way streets, stopping is required because children may cross the roads at various points, and there is no physical separation to protect them. It is essential for drivers to be vigilant and observant in those settings to ensure the safety of children. Additionally, if the bus is moving, it is also clear that stopping is necessary; the requirement to stop only applies when the bus has come to a complete stop and its signals are activated, ensuring the safety of children during boarding or alighting.