West Chester, Pa (August 24, 2026) – As students begin to return to schools around our region, state Senator Carolyn Comitta is reminding motorists to follow Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law and to slow down to 15 mph in school zones.
Over the past five years, 8,302 citations were issued to Pennsylvania drivers for illegally passing a school bus, and 16,834 were issued for speeding in a school zone, according to data released from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Drivers in Chester County accounted for about 6 percent of those citations.
“The fall back-to-school season is a busy time of year, especially for families with children. “There are more school buses on the road, more kids at bus stops, and an increase in traffic, as some drivers begin new commutes and routines,” said Comitta, a former public-school teacher and member of the Senate Education Committee. “Please slow down, stay focused, allow extra time for travel, and be sure to stop when you see a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arms extended.”
Under 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 arms extended.
- Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, overtaking a bus, meeting a 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or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.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 for violating the School Bus Stopping Law can be significant, including a 60-day driver’s license suspension, five points on your driving record, and a $250 fine.
Motorists are also reminded to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 mph in school zones, which are particularly busy in the morning and afternoon hours during student arrival and dismissal.
In addition, this summer, full enforcement began of a new state law prohibiting the use of a handheld device while driving. Under the new law, which is a primary offense, drivers cannot talk on a handheld phone, text, record video, take pictures, play games, send emails, or use social media. The penalty is a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Hands-free options like Bluetooth or CarPlay are permitted.
About 30,000 buses transported nearly 1.5 million children about 400,000 miles on Pennsylvania roads last year, according to PennDOT.
For more safety tips, visit penndot.pa.gov
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