Aug. 10—WILKES-BARRE — As we prepare for the return to schools in the coming week, we could all benefit from some advice about school bus safety.
As the new school year approaches, the Pennsylvania Courts remind drivers to slow down in school zones, stop for school buses and stay alert to help ensure the safety of our students.
Over the past five years — 2020-2024 — 22,502 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations.
That’s got to change.
And this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminded motorists, parents and students of the importance of bus and pedestrian safety as the new school year begins.
August is “National Back to School Safety Month” and motorists, parents and students all play an important role in keeping children safe.
Here’s is some important information from PennDOT:
For motorists
Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law mandates motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus.
If you are following or traveling alongside a school bus, you must stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop-arm is withdrawn and all children have reached safety.
Motorists approaching a stopped school bus from any direction are required to stop.
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. If there is no physical barrier — you must stop.
Motorists should be alert for students darting into the street from between parked cars or improperly crossing the street while walking or riding their bikes to school.
Another area requiring motorists’ full attention are school zones. You are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 miles per hour in school zones. The speed limit applies during all normal hours when students arrive at or leave school.
For parents and students
Arrive 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. Stand 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 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.
Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road.
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.
For safety tips for school bus drivers, parents and students visit bit.ly/3UREn6P.
New grant program announced in May
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in May urged motorists to always stop for — and never pass — stopped school buses with their red lights flashing and stop-arm activated.
“The safety of our children is in your hands,” Carroll said.
Carroll addressed school bus safety when he announced that PennDOT was applying $1.2 million in a new grant program to help increase school bus safety. The funds were made available through the newly established School Bus Safety Grant Program.
Carroll said Pennsylvania law allows school districts to install and operate automated camera systems for the purpose of enforcing Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law and increasing safety for children riding school buses across the state.
Carroll said of the $300 fine assessed for these automated violations, the law requires $25 be paid to PennDOT to be used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program.
PennDOT said grants from the program can be used to promote and increase school bus safety, education and training, as well as pay for education, training and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner’s permit, commercial driver’s license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania.
“The funding will allow schools and their partners to invest in programs designed to increase the safety of children riding school buses across the state.”
Safety first — always.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.