School Bus Safety in Bucks County | Law Office of Sharif Abaza

School bus safety is a high priority in Bucks County, PA. We all play important roles in keeping our children safe while on or around the school bus.

Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law

When you approach an intersection where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
You MUST STOP at least ten (10) feet away from any school bus that has their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
You MUST STOP when you are behind a bus, meeting the bus, or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
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following or traveling alongside a school bus you MUST STOP until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.
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.
You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.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

Penalties if Convicted of Violating PA’s School Bus Stopping Law Include:

$250 fine
Five points on your driving record
60-day license suspension

SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW TIPS FOR PARENTS/STUDENTS

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, SECURE LOOSE DRAWSTRINGS and other loose objects so that they don’t get caught on the handrail or the door.
NEVER CROSS 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 TO SPEAK TO STRANGERS at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger.