School Bus Safety Alert/ Bus Passing 

The York County Regional Police Traffic Enforcement Unit  would like to remind motorists of the importance of stopping for school buses with activated stop arms and Red Lights Flashing.   Passing a stopped school bus can put the lives of children at risk.

When a school bus stops and activates its stop arm, it is illegal to pass the bus in either direction. This law is in place to ensure the safety of children getting on or off the bus.

Motorists are urged to be vigilant and cautious when approaching a stopped school bus. Failure to stop for a school bus can result in serious consequences, including fines and penalties.

In York County, it is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload children. This law is in place to protect our children from potential harm. When a bus stops, its lights will flash, and a stop arm will extend to indicate that children are entering or exiting the bus.

If you are approaching a stopped school bus from either direction or at an intersection, regardless if your lane is controlled by a stop sign, (this includes turning away from the bus.)   You must  come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the lights and stop arm are no longer activated. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences,   Should you be stopped by Police , you could be fined $250, plus costs, 5 Points on your driver's license, and a Driver's License Suspension.  THIS APPLIES TO ENTRANCES FROM APARTMENT COMPLEXES, BUSINESSES, OR ANYWHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO ENTER THE ROAD AND THE BUS IS STOPPED AT YOUR LOCATION.  

3345.  Meeting or overtaking school bus.

(a)  Duty of approaching driver when red signals are flashing.-- The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking any school bus stopped on a highway or trafficway shall stop at least ten feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the school bus are flashing and the side stop signal arms are activated under section 4552(b.1) (relating to general requirements for school buses). The driver shall not proceed until the flashing red signal lights are no longer actuated. In no event shall a driver of a vehicle resume motion of the vehicle until the school children who may have alighted from the school bus have reached a place of safety. The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection at which a school bus is stopped shall stop his vehicle at that intersection until the flashing red signal lights are no longer actuated.

Pa Law also allows bus driver's to file reports of infractions that are then investigated by police.

The following was taken from PENNDOT;

     Q : I heard that drivers don’t have to stop when there is a barrier in the center of the road. Does a turning lane count?

     A:  If a physical barrier, such as a grassy median, guide rail, or concrete median barrier separates oncoming traffic from the school bus, motorists passing in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the stopped school bus. A turning lane is not considered a physical barrier. 

     Q: If a bus is stopped at an intersection and I’m turning in the opposite direction and don’t have a stop sign, do I have to stop? 

     A: If a school bus is stopped at an intersection with their red lights flashing and stop arm activated, all traffic must stop in all directions, even if the intersection is not marked with a stop sign.

Let's all work together to make our roads safer and keep our children safe! 

PLEASE DISCUSS THESE POSTINGS WITH NEWER DRIVERS IN YOUR FAMILIES.  SEE INSERTED EXAMPLES/PICS FOR EXAMPLES.