250+ Instances of Illegal Bus Passing Reviewed In September: Marple PD

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Marple Township Police data shows a staggering number of vehicles illegally passed school buses in September after the Marple Newtown School District launched a new bus safety program.

Last month, more than 250 instances of illegal bus passing were reviewed, police said.

This is even after police announced the district was partnering with BusPatrol to add safety technology to all district buses, including stop-arm enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses.

A majority of the September violations were considered vehicle code violations, many of which occurred on multi-lane roadways with no median or other physical barrier.

Those roads include Lawrence, Springfield, and Sproul roads.

On multi-lane roadways with no median or physical barrier, vehicles traveling in all lanes and in both directions must stop when the red signal lights on the school bus are flashing, and the side stop signal arms are activated, police said.

Drivers should refer to the graphic below for guidance on stopping for buses.

Those who illegally pass stopped school buses will be mailed a notice of the violation. Vehicle owners are legally responsible for the violation per the law.

Those found in violation will be subject to a $300 fine.

Disagreements, and/or payments related to the violation, are handled by BusPatrol.

Learn more about the program online here