PA School Bus Stopping Law

It’s that time of year…back to school! We haven’t been in the school mindset for a few months, so it’s a good time to know the school bus-stopping law here in PA.

• Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

• Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus, or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.

• Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.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.

• Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

The penalties, if convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, include:

• $250 fine

• Five points on your driving record

• 60-day license suspension