Stop for the Bus. It's Pennsylvania State Law.

Bristol Township School District has partnered with BusPatrol to launch a new school bus safety program in line with PA Motor Vehicle Code § 3345.1.

The district's fleet of buses has been modernized with advanced safety technology, including photo enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. This initiative aims to reduce dangerous driving behavior and enhance student safety.

To speak to a representative about a violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at 1-800-852-7741.

FAQs

How often do motorists illegally pass stopped school buses in Pennsylvania?

Every day, more than 21,000 school buses in Pennsylvania transport around 1.3 million students. Sadly, reports show that drivers illegally pass these buses more than twice per bus per day.

What is Pennsylvania's law on school bus photo enforcement?

In 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 364 (now Act 38), allowing Pennsylvania school districts to implement violator-funded school bus safety programs. This law empowers districts to use automated enforcement, such as school bus cameras, to catch and penalize drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. The goal is to enhance student safety and hold reckless drivers accountable.

In October 2023, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed an amendment to 75 Pa. C.S. § 3345.1, which improves the process for contesting automated enforcement violations. The amendment strengthens due process protections and provides clearer guidelines for drivers who wish to contest fines for failing to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing.

For more details about the updated legislation and how it impacts drivers, read PennDOT's announcement on the topic.

How does the school bus safety program work?

When a vehicle illegally passes a school bus with its red lights flashing, a camera on the bus captures the violation, including the car's license plate. The footage, along with GPS and time data, is securely sent to a cloud system, where artificial intelligence (AI) helps identify possible violations. A trained safety specialist then reviews the footage, and if it shows a potential violation, an evidence package is created for law enforcement, including the video, vehicle details, and GPS information, per state law.

Law enforcement reviews the evidence and issues a citation to the vehicle owner if the instance is deemed a violation. The owner is mailed a notice with instructions for payment, which can be made online, by mail, or in person. Vehicle owners can also contest the violation through the local court system.

Data shows that over 95% of drivers don’t contest the violation after seeing video evidence, and more than 90% of first-time violators do not reoffend. Check out the graphic below for an overview of how the program works:

How does the program enhance student safety through community education and public awareness?

The BTSD School Bus Safety Program combines education and enforcement to help change driver behavior and raise awareness about the importance of stopping for school buses.

Before enforcement begins, the program starts with a comprehensive Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to inform the community about the change to enforcement. The campaign focuses on:

• Community awareness of the laws surrounding school bus stops
• Child education on how to safely get on and off the bus
• Motorist education on the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus

The PSA campaign uses an omnichannel approach, reaching the community through a mix of traditional and digital channels, including parent letters, social media, press announcements, and more.

This campaign continues even after the program starts, reinforcing safety messages and fostering a culture of responsibility and awareness around the school bus.

How much is the fine for illegally passing a school bus in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a first-time violation captured by a school bus camera is considered a civil offense and results in a $300 fine. Importantly, because it is a civil offense, no license points are added to the driver's record for a first offense.

When should I stop for a school bus in Pennsylvania?

Motorists must stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop sign is deployed. Here are the key rules to follow:

• Stop at least 10 feet away from the bus.
• Stop behind, in front of, or at an intersection where the bus is stopped.
• Stop if traveling alongside or following a bus, and do not proceed until the red lights stop flashing and all children are safely off the road.
• If there's a physical barrier (like a grassy median, guide rails, or concrete barriers) separating traffic, vehicles in the opposite lane do not need to stop.
• Never proceed until all children have reached a place of safety.

For more information, visit the PennDOT School Bus Safety page or watch this video on school bus stopping laws.