What should a driver do if a child drops something near the school bus?

When a child drops something near the school bus, the best course of action is to wait for the child to retrieve the object only when it is safe to do so. This ensures the safety of the child and prevents any potential accidents that could occur if the child were to move into the path of traffic or get too close to the bus while it is still in motion.

Children may not always have the awareness of their surroundings to judge when it is safe to retrieve an object. As a driver, maintaining a vigilant eye on the situation and ensuring the child has a clear and safe opportunity to go after the dropped item is crucial. It prioritizes the child's safety in a potentially hazardous situation.

Other options, such as calling the child over or ignoring the situation, could lead to dangerous outcomes. Calling the child over may inadvertently encourage them to move too close to the bus or traffic, while ignoring the situation altogether could leave the child in a state of distraction or uncertainty. Continuing to drive would also pose a risk, as it might not allow the child to safely retrieve the item or could create confusion or danger for other children nearby.