The Pennsylvania School Bus Association is made up of the independent school contractors that transport students every to and from school across Pennsylvania. Gerry Wosewick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association says there are laws that motorist need to be aware of while buses are back on the roads.

"The most important thing to remember, is that, it is illegal to pass a school bus, when they have either their amber or their yellow lights, engaged or their red lights, flashing and the stop arm activated."

According to Wosewick, between 2000-2022 there were 55 students that died as a result of illegal passing of a school bus. Act 19 in 2023 reinsititued those laws that you cannot legally pass a school bus.

"That's 55 lives that did not need to, that that were lost needlessly, senselessly. And it's absolutely tragic. So when you're approaching a school bus and if you see, you know, their yellow lights and get their amber lights engaged, that indicates you got to start slowing down. If their red lights are engaged, you got to stop. You must stop within ten feet, of a school bus. If they've got their red lights flashing the stop arm engaged. And, when you're at an intersection, you also have to stop."

There is also a hefty fine involved if a person illegally passes a school bus, and a fine increase if you are a repeat offender.

"The most important thing that I always tell drivers, in the event that they are approaching a school bus with their lights that are, either amber or red, or if you just have any questions, you're not sure of whether or not you should stop. Just stop. You know, these are you. We have to remember that there are kids that are going to be passing. There's going to be parents. You don't know if it's a special needs student. You don't know what the situations are. So if you ever are curious about whether you should stop and you're in that situation, it's just best to stop."

 

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