Transportation

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School Bus Safety Program 

KEEP KIDS SAFE - IT'S PENNSYLVANIA LAW

The Wilson Area School District has launched a school bus safety program in partnership with BusPatrol in line with PA Motor Vehicle Code § 3345.1. All school buses in the District are now equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras designed to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. This safety initiative seeks to curb dangerous motorist behavior around school buses and make the journey to and from school safer for all students. According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), school buses are unlawfully passed more than 17 million times each school year in the United States.

How the Safety Program Works 

The Wilson Area School Bus Safety Program combines education with enforcement to effectively change motorist behavior over time and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses. Before the first ticket is even issued, The Wilson Area School District and BusPatrol are running an extensive PSA campaign. This campaign will remind motorists of school bus stopping laws and teach children road safety tips for getting on and off the bus. Click here for more details on how it works and a program overview.

Modernizing School Buses

In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, the District fleet is now fully equipped with additional features to improve safety for students and drivers. This includes: 

• 360 degree safety cameras inside and outside the bus
• GPS tracking
• Emergency response solutions

This technology is all included as part of the program at zero cost to the District and taxpayers.

When Should I Stop for a School Bus in Pennsylvania?

School bus safety is a high priority in Pennsylvania. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, transportation providers and the motoring public all play important roles in keeping our children safe while on or around the school bus.

• When you meet a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
• When you approach an intersection where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP, whether you are on the same street or the cross street.
• You MUST STOP at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
• Drivers do not have to stop on a highway with clearly defined dividing sections or physical barriers providing separate roadways. This only applies when the school bus is on the opposite side of the road.
• You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.
• DO NOT MOVE until all the children have reached a place of safety.

What Happens If You Illegally Pass a Stopped School Bus?

All school buses that transport Wilson Area School District students are equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras. Cameras on the side of school buses help capture violation events and vehicle license plate numbers. The violation is reviewed by law enforcement. Once approved, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner by mail.

In Pennsylvania, a first-time stop-arm violation witnessed by a stop-arm enforcement carries a fine of $300 and no points.

In addition to the financial deterrent, violators learn about the potential dangers of their actions. Offenders can call the program's toll-free number and speak with a representative, who can review the video evidence and help them understand the dangers of illegal passing. Services are offered in both English and Spanish.

Data from other safety programs demonstrates that 98% of first-time offenders do not receive a second ticket, and 95% of drivers do not contest their ticket after seeing video evidence of their violation.

To speak to a representative about a safety violation, contact the Alert Bus Customer Contact Center at 1-800-852-7741.

Links and Resources for More Information 

• https://www.penndot.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
• http://www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org/
• https://www.napt.org/
• The Law on Stop-Arm Automated Enforcement
• School Bus Stopping Law