What action should be taken if a driver does not see any children when passing a stopped school bus?

The most appropriate action to take when a driver does not see any children while passing a stopped school bus is to proceed slowly past the bus. This allows for a cautious approach since visibility can sometimes be limited, and children may be hidden from view, perhaps behind the bus or nearby.

By proceeding slowly, the driver is able to react quickly in case a child unexpectedly appears. Safety is the primary concern in such situations, as children can be unpredictable and may not always stay in the immediate vicinity of the bus. Therefore, moving slowly ensures that the driver has the best chance to respond to any unforeseen circumstances.

In contrast, driving at normal speed could be dangerous as it increases the risk of an accident should a child suddenly appear. Stopping to double-check might be overly cautious since the bus is already stopped, and it does not provide clarity on what is safe to do next. Waiting for the bus driver to signal is also not practical in this scenario; not all buses have such signaling capabilities, and relying solely on that could lead to unnecessary delays while still posing a safety risk.