NEW CUMBERLAND, PA — The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Education, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Police, West Shore Regional Police, and the West Shore School District, this week announced the results of the 2024 Operation Safe Stop. This annual initiative, aimed at promoting school bus safety, documented 131 violations of Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law on October 23, a decrease from the 177 infractions reported last year.
Operation Safe Stop serves as a critical component in the Commonwealth’s strategy to ensure the safety of students traveling to and from school. By recording violations and emphasizing the importance of adherence to school transportation safety rules, the initiative seeks to foster greater awareness among motorists. “Witnessing so many violations in just one day, it’s clear that ensuring the safety of our students traveling to and from school must remain a priority in our communities,” stated PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. He further urged drivers to stay vigilant and exercise caution around school buses, emphasizing that “even one incident of passing a school bus is one too many.”
The School Bus Stopping Law requires drivers to halt at least 10 feet from a bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. This rule applies to vehicles approaching from all directions unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway with a physical barrier. Violating this law carries significant penalties. Corporal Zeina Black of the Pennsylvania State Police highlighted, “There are steep penalties if a driver is stopped by law enforcement and convicted of disobeying Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law – a $250 fine plus a $35 surcharge, five points added to your driver record, and a 60-day suspension of your driving privilege. The fine increases to $300 if someone is caught by a stop arm camera.”
The implementation of Act 19 of 2023 has introduced further measures to enhance enforcement. School districts now have the authority to install automated camera systems on buses to capture violations. While these infractions incur a $300 fine, they do not impact the driver’s record with points. The revenue from these fines is allocated to the school district, police department, and PennDOT, supporting the School Bus Safety Grant Program, which funds safety education and training initiatives.
Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin underscored the importance of these initiatives, stating, “The funding for stop arm cameras made available by PennDOT will certainly help provide a safer environment for our students. Student safety in school zones and school bus stops is of the utmost importance, requiring the undivided attention of all motorists.”
The Operation Safe Stop initiative is part of a broader effort to cultivate a culture of safety around school buses, reminding all stakeholders of their role in safeguarding Pennsylvania’s students. This includes educational efforts targeting both motorists and students to reinforce safe practices around school transportation. As Pennsylvania continues to refine its approach to school bus safety, the involvement of law enforcement, educational institutions, and state agencies remains crucial in achieving lasting change.
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