Which of these actions is necessary to legally pass a stopped school bus?

To legally pass a stopped school bus, it is essential to wait for the stop signal arm to retract. When a school bus is stopped with its lights flashing and the stop arm extended, it indicates that children may be present, either boarding or disembarking from the bus. This is a critical safety measure designed to protect children, and it is against the law to pass the bus while it is in this position. By waiting for the stop signal arm to retract, drivers ensure that it is safe to proceed, reducing the risk of accidents involving children.

While yielding to pedestrians is important in various driving situations, it does not specifically relate to the laws governing school bus stops. Sounding the horn is not a requirement and can even be counterproductive, as it may distract or confuse children. Checking your phone for alerts is not only unnecessary but also dangerous and illegal, as it diverts your attention from the road and the potential hazards around a school bus. Therefore, the only action that directly complies with the law regarding passing a stopped school bus is to wait for the stop signal arm to retract.