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

In North Dakota, the law requires drivers to stop for school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arms extended to ensure the safety of children getting on and off the bus. However, the exception occurs when you are driving on the opposite side of a divided highway. In this scenario, vehicles on the other side of the road, separated by a median or physical barrier, are not required to stop, as the layout of the roadway provides a safe distance that protects the children.

The reasoning behind this exception is to balance the need for safety with the practicality of traffic flow on larger, multi-lane roads. Other options, such as indicating that stopping is permissible on a single lane road or when the bus is moving, violate the fundamental safety principle of stopping for school buses to protect children. Always maintaining the rule to stop unless in the specified situation helps ensure public safety around school buses.