A bill that would strengthen school bus safety laws has passed the PA Senate’s Transportation Committee.
Senate Bill 65 would increase the required stopping distance for opposing drivers from 10 feet to 15 feet, creating a bigger buffer zone for children getting on and off the bus. It also would strengthen penalties for those who fail to stop when a school bus has stopped with its red warning lights flashing and stop arm extended. For first-time offenders, the fine would be between $250 and $500 based on how egregious the offense is, instead of the current flat $250 fine.
Penalties for those who repeatedly violate the law would also change. Under the bill, five points would be put on someone’s license for a second or subsequent offense along with a 60-day license suspension, along with a fine of no less than $500 and a $35 fee to the School Bus Safety Grant program. Repeat offenders would also be required to take a driver improvement class or undergo a special exam, as determined by PennDOT.
The bill was inspired by stats from the 2024 Operation Safe Stop study. Law enforcement officials and drivers in 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day.
The bill now heads to the floor of the Senate for consideration.
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