Press ESC to Close
, ,

BTSD Teaming Up With Bristol Twp. Police To Stop Those Who Pass Buses

·

By

Staff

Provided by the Bristol Township School District:

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Bristol Township School District transports thousands of students each year. While safety is a top concern for bus drivers, the motoring public may not be fully aware of Pennsylvania state law governing stopping and passing school buses.

Advertisements


Operation Safe Stop, an annual event sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) during National School Bus Safety Week, aims to reduce illegal school bus passes through public education. The District will conduct Operation Safe Stop on October 21, 2015. Bristol Township police will be involved in the initiative and all bus drivers will be on the lookout for illegal passes. As allowed by law, bus drivers can obtain license plate numbers and file the information with local authorities. Trouble spots and routes or stops with a high frequency of violations will be identified for future action.

Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law clearly spells out the responsibilities of motorists. Motorists should familiarize themselves with the law, which states that drivers MUST:

  • STOP when meeting or overtaking a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended.
  • STOP when approaching an intersection where a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing and arm extended.
  • STOP at least 10 feet from the school bus.
  • REMAIN STOPPED until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.
  • REMAIN STOPPED until all children have reached a place of safety.

Furthermore, motorists encountering a school bus with red signal lights MUST:

  • STOP on roadways with painted lines, regardless of whether the bus is travelling in the opposite direction.
  • STOP when approaching an intersection…this includes all drivers at the intersection.
  • STOP on roadways with ridged/grooved dividers.
Advertisements


Motorists who are convicted can expect to receive potential life-changing penalties, including: a 60-day license suspension, a $250 fine and five points on their driving record.

“Safety is our number one concern,” said Bristol Township School District Transportation Director Kelly Wood. “Ensuring that motorists are aware of and understand the law is a critical starting point for making our streets and roads safe for students.”

Advertisements


For more information about the Pennsylvania School Bus Stopping Law visit http://www.dmv.state.pa.us.

Staff

Staff