When is it permissible to pass a stopped school bus?

Passing a stopped school bus is permissible only when its red lights are not flashing. This rule is in place for the safety of children who may be getting on or off the bus. When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing, it signals that children are either boarding or disembarking, and thus extra caution is required. In such situations, vehicles must come to a complete stop to protect the safety of those children.

The only scenario in which passing is allowed is when the bus has turned off its flashing red lights. This indicates that it is safe to proceed. In contrast, the other options do not prioritize the safety of children effectively. Simply waiting until no children are around does not provide certainty about the bus’s current status or safety conditions, and passing at any time when it might seem safe disregards the specific signals that a school bus uses to indicate danger. Additionally, the idea that crossing a divided road automatically allows passing does not account for the need to observe the bus's signals, as children may still be in the vicinity regardless of road configuration.