Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law

Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm activated.
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or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.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.

Penalties

There are two distinct programs related to violations of Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law.

Criminal violations: 75 Pa. C.S. § 3345.0 (Meeting or overtaking school bus) identifies fines and penalties when a police officer pulls you over for a violation, including:
- $250 fine and a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account.
- Five points on your driving record.
- 60-day license suspension.
Civil violations: 75 Pa. C.S. § 3345.1 (Automated enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights) allows school entities to install and operate a side stop signal arm enforcement system for the purpose of enforcing the School Bus Stopping Law. Civil violations include only a $300 fine and don't reflect any points or insurance ratings.