As School Starts, Remember Bus Stopping Law

Provided by TMA Bucks:

As the summer break comes to an end, school buses will once again be a familiar sight on Bucks County roads and the TMA Bucks Community Traffic Safety Program is encouraging all motorists to make safety a priority by remaining vigilant and following Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law to help protect students traveling to and from school.

The PA School Bus Stopping Law, according to PennDOT, says motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended are required to stop in all directions at least 10 feet from the bus. The only exception to the law is when a school bus is stopped on the opposite side of a highway clearly separated by a divider, such as concrete barriers or grass medians. Even in this situation, motorists should remain watchful of students trying to cross the road to catch the bus.

“As students head back to school, we want every child to arrive safely each day,” said Carly Wible, manager of the TMA Bucks Community Traffic Safety Program. “Drivers play a critical role by staying alert, slowing down, and obeying Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law. It’s a simple action that helps protect children and keeps our communities safe.”

According to PennDOT, the penalties if convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law include a $250 fine and a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account, five points on your driving record, and 60-day license suspension. Civil violations (Automated enforcement of failure to stop for school buses 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.

TMA Bucks reminds everyone that students are often exposed to traffic while walking to school, waiting at bus stops, or heading to and from buses. Motorists should stay alert, use caution near school bus stops, and always stop for pedestrians or bicyclists in crosswalks.

In addition to watching for school buses, commuters should be alert in school zones, which become hubs of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 mph in school zones. If convicted, PennDOT says violators face a fine and three points on their driving record.

If your school or daycare would like to schedule free programming on highway safety topics please contact our Community Traffic Safety Program manager Carly Wible at carly@bcmta.com or 267-895-5186.