What does a no pass zone around a school bus mean for other drivers?

• A. Vehicles must not pass a stopped school bus when loading/unloading; stop as required, and approach only when safe.
• B. Vehicles may pass cautiously when space allows.
• C. Vehicles may pass on the left if the lane is clear.
• D. Vehicles must stop only if a child is detected crossing.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is safety for children getting on and off the bus. When a school bus stops to load or unload, its red flashing lights are on and the stop arm is extended. That signals all drivers to stop and not pass the bus. You must remain stopped in your lane until the lights are off, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move again (or the driver signals that it’s safe to proceed). This creates a no-pass zone around the bus because a child could step into the roadway at any moment.

In practice, this means you don’t proceed past a stopped bus in either direction on a two-lane road, and you should stay alert for children who might be crossing. Once the bus resumes motion and signals it’s safe, you can continue cautiously.