North Penn, Local Police Partner To Combat Illegal Bus Passing

LANSDALE, PA — The North Penn School District is joining police departments from around the area in participating in a statewide event aimed at improving student safety.

PennDOT's Operation Safe Stop will take place around the state through next week, Oct. 21 through Oct. 25.

Police from Towamencin, Upper Gwynedd, North Wales, Montgomery Township, Lansdale, and Hatfield will all participate in the event.

Law enforcement agencies and bus drivers will work together to document illegal passes occurring on their routes during the day, recording identifying information about the vehicle in each case.

"It is a proactive approach to educate the motoring public that passing a stopped school bus, when children are loading or unloading, is both dangerous and illegal," North Penn said in a statement. "Law enforcement agencies, school transportation providers, pupil transportation associations and PennDOT have combined efforts to raise public awareness about the potential consequences, and reduce the occurrence of illegal school bus passes."

School districts and police will then share their observations with PennDOT.

Law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses which have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

2019 marks the 23rd year of Operation Safe Stop.