PENNSYLVANIA’S SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW

Keeping Children Safe

	When you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
	When you approach an intersection where a stopped bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
	You MUST STOP at least ten (10) feet away from the school bus.
	You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.
	DO NOT MOVE until all the children have reached a place of safety.
	You MUST STOP on roadways with painted lines.
	You MUST STOP on roadways with singing divisors.
	Drivers on separate roadways do not have to stop on a highway with clearly defined dividing sections or physical barriers separating the roadways.
	This only applies when the school bus is on the opposite side of the road.  WHEN IN DOUBT, STOP.

SEPARATE ROADWAYS

Drivers do not have to stop on a highway with clearly defined dividing sections or physical barriers providing separate roadways. This only applies when the school bus is on the opposite side of the road.

PENALTIES

 If you are convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, you will receive all the following penalties:

1. 60-day Driver’s License Suspension

2. Five (5) points on your driving record

3. $250.00 fine

Annually, over 1,000 motorists do not obey the School Bus Stopping Law.

 

Know your responsibilities.

	1.5 million children are transported on Pennsylvania roads each day.
	These children are transported more than 346 million miles to school each year.
	Every year, children are needlessly injured or killed by drivers passing stopped school buses.

SCHOOL BUS LAW FOR ENTERING A SCHOOL BUS

Parents are only authorized to enter and ride a school bus when they are chaperoning a school-sponsored trip and are approved by the corresponding school.

If parents have problems they would like to discuss with school bus drivers, they are to call the schools and schedule appointments. School bus drivers cannot hold conversations at bus stops since this can create dangerous conditions taking the drivers' attention away from the safety of the children and the traffic situation.  This can also cause a delay in the drivers' schedule and tie up traffic, causing unnecessary problems. 

If the parents want to deliver a note to the school bus driver, they may give the note to their child to give to the driver. 

Please read the bill below that addresses the School Bus Law pertaining to unlawfully entering a school bus. Thank you for your cooperation.

School Bus Law

A bill was passed during the 2001 General Assembly session to clarify and strengthen the law pertaining to persons who interfere with the operation of public school buses.

Section 1. G.S. 14-132-2 addresses willful trespassing upon, damaging, or impeding the progress of a public school bus.

(a) Any person who shall unlawfully and willfully demolish, destroy, deface, injure, burn, or damage any public school bus or public school activity bus shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(b) Any person who shall enter a public school bus or public school activity bus after being forbidden to do so by the authorized school bus driver in charge thereof, or the school principal to whom the public school bus or public school activity bus is assigned, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(c) Any occupant of a public school bus or public school activity bus who shall refuse to leave said bus upon demand of the authorized driver in charge thereof, or upon demand of the principal of the school to which said bus is assigned, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(d) Any person who shall unlawfully and willfully stop, impede, delay, or detain any public school bus or public school activity bus being operated for public school purposes shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Our Children’s Safety Is In Your Hands.

The Shippensburg Police Department want to ensure the school year starts out right. Take a few moments to review the following safety tips to ensure our children arrive to and from school safely each day.

	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.

know your laws

Keeping Children Safe