(The Center Square) – Despite stiff penalties and potential for deadly accidents, many drivers in Pennsylvania still ignore school bus stop arms.
And it’s hard to know the full scope of the problem. But, if one-day data collection is any indication, it’s widespread.
This according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation after conducting its annual school bus education and enforcement program, called Operation Safe Stop, on Oct. 23.
That same day, a driver hit a 12-year-old in Lancaster County crossing the street to board a bus, while a 16-year-old in Centre County was struck while walking to school. Pedestrian accidents overall saw an increase in the state last year.
“With every violation of the school bus stopping law, there is potential for a catastrophe,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll during a news conference on Tuesday.
State law requires that drivers stop at least 10 feet from school buses with stop signs out and red lights flashing. This year, police officers and bus drivers across 22 school districts, out of 500, reported 131 violations in a single day.
Although this was down from 177 last year, officials believe the problem is far more extensive.
“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,” said Carroll.
One way to increase enforcement of the law includes installing stop arm cameras on school buses. If a car passes the bus when the stop arm is extended and red lights are flashing, the camera captures the image, which is then reviewed by the district and local police.
“If you were to listen to the bus radios, there’s not a week that goes by without an incident of a driver ignoring the stop sign or flashing lights and driving past the slowing or stopped bus,” said West Shore School District Superintendent Todd Stultz.
Penalties for violating the law are steep, including a $250 fine, $35 surcharge, 60-day license suspension and five points against the driver’s record. Violators captured by stop arm cameras see the fine increase to $300, which is distributed between the school district at $250, the overseeing police department at $25 and PennDOT at $25.
“There is never a valid excuse for passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing,” said Cpl. Zeina Black, Pennsylvania State Police Permits & Bus Safety Unit Supervisor, who noted that 1.4 million students require buses to get them to and from school each day.
In addition to the stop arm cameras, PennDOT’s School Bus Safety Grant Program can be used for education and safety training. Students are encouraged to be aware of their environments, stay away from the curb or roadway, and never run after a bus that’s departing.
