Do You Know PA's School Bus Stopping Law?

As hundreds of school buses prepare to hit the roads for the start of school, state lawmakers are reminding everyone of Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law.

According to information from State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester):

• Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
• Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
• Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.
• If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
• Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

“In the coming days, there will be many more buses on our roads. This is a basic common sense and a rule that most drivers know and obey,” Dinniman said. “Still each year, kids are injured or even killed because a driver isn’t paying attention or tries to pass a school bus. Please take some time to review the law and always be careful when you approach a school bus on our roadways.”

If convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, punishment includes a $250 fine, five points on your driving record and a 60-day license suspension.

“School bus safety is obviously a high priority in Bucks County with so many school districts in the area,” said TMA Bucks Executive Director Bill Brady. “Students, parents, teachers, administrators, transportation personnel and the public all play important roles in keeping our children safe while on or around the school bus. Bucks County alone had 239 violations for the School Bus Stopping Law in 2013."

Dinniman said more than a thousand motorists statewide are cited each year for not obeying the law.

"That is far too many," he added.

Patch file photo