We are only a few short weeks from starting a new school year. This means we need to look out for school zones and bus stops.
Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law
- Motorists must stop at l
- 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or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.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.
Penalties
There are two distinct programs related to violations of Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law.
- Criminal violations: Meeting or overtaking school bus identifies fines and penalties when a police officer pulls you over for a violation, including:
- $250 fine and a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account.
- Five points on your driving record.
- 60-day license suspension.
- Civil violations: Automated enforcement of failure to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights allows school entities to install and operate a side stop signal arm enforcement system for the purpose of enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law. Civil violations include only a $300 fine and don’t reflect any points or insurance ratings.
School Zones
When approaching a school zone with flashing lights, begin to reduce your speed. By the time you get to the school zone, you already want to be going the school zone speed limit. Some school zones don’t have flashing lights, so it’s important to make you read the times the school zone is active.
Safety Tips for Parents and Students
- Get to the school bus stop five minutes early so you won’t have to run across the road to catch the bus.
- When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus.
- Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.
- Never push when getting on or off of the school bus.
- Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you.
- Be aware – Cross with Care! Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road.
- When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window.
- Talk quietly; do not distract your school bus driver.
- If your school bus crosses railroad tracks, be calm and quiet so that your driver can listen for a train. Always obey your school bus driver’s instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions.
- Never play with the emergency exits. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.
- When getting off of the school bus, make sure that all drawstrings and other loose objects are secure so that they don’t get caught on the handrail or the door.
- Never cross the street behind the school bus.
- If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. The driver may not see you and begin moving the bus.
- Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger.