State police to conduct ‘Operation Safe Stop’ today

State police will conduct a one-day enforcement effort today in conjunction with the state Department of Transportation, school districts, student transportation agencies, and local law enforcement agencies for “Operation Safe Stop.” The goal is to raise awareness of the consequences of improperly passing school buses. The event is part of National School Bus Safety Week.
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have red lights flashing and the stop arm extended. Motorists must stop when they are behind the bus, meeting the bus, or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
As part of “Operation Safe Stop,” troopers will increase patrols in identified areas with high frequencies of violations. Troopers will also ride in school buses to watch for violators and talk with children about school bus safety.
According to PennDOT, 730 motorists were convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law in 2016. Penalties for violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law include a $250 fine, five points on the violator’s driving record, and a mandatory 60-day license suspension for a first offense.