Numerous Reports Of Motorists Passing Stopped School Buses In Phoenixville

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- There have been numerous recent reports of motorists flying past stopped school buses within the borough over the past week, authorities report.

During one incident, a mother was attempting to take her daughter across the street to board a stopped bus, which had its lights flashing and stop signs out.

A car whipped around the bus and attempted to pass.

Apparently, it's not an infrequent incident in the area, as numerous complaints have been filed in the borough since school began last month.

Officials are urging all drivers to obey traffic laws and to stop behind buses. Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law requires the following from all drivers:

• 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or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.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.

According to officials, violators of the school bus law will be hit with a $250 fine, have their license suspended for 60 days, and have five points added to their driving record.

Patch file photo.