What is the penalty for not stopping for a school bus with its stop arm extended?

The penalty for not stopping for a school bus with its stop arm extended involves a fine and possible points added to a driver's record. This is taken seriously because the law is designed to protect children as they get on and off the bus, which is a critical time when they may be endangered by moving vehicles.

When a school bus extends its stop arm, it signals that children are likely crossing the street, requiring drivers to halt their vehicles to ensure safety. If a driver fails to comply with this law, they face fines as a deterrent against such behavior, which also serves to encourage compliance with traffic laws designed for the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly children. Additionally, accumulating points on a driving record could lead to further consequences, such as increased insurance rates or license suspension if too many points are accrued over time.

Other options, such as merely receiving a warning or being required to perform community service, do not align with the generally strict enforcement of traffic laws involving school buses, which prioritize safety and strict penalties to dissuade violations. License suspension is typically reserved for more severe or repeated offenses, making the combination of a fine and points on the driving record the appropriate penalty in this case.