HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies and school districts documented 196 drivers violating the state’s School Bus Stopping Law during a one-day enforcement initiative, an increase from 188 last year, as officials prepare to implement tougher penalties and stricter stopping requirements under legislation taking effect in October 2027.
The Shapiro administration released the results Monday, Nov. 9, following Operation Safe Stop, an annual enforcement and education initiative intended to reduce illegal passing of stopped school buses.
A total of 89 law enforcement agencies and 14 school districts participated in the operation, documenting violations involving motorists who failed to comply with Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping requirements.
The findings represent an increase of eight reported violations, or approximately 4.3%, from the previous year’s operation.
Statewide convictions for school bus stopping violations also increased in 2025, reaching 404 compared with 352 in 2024, a rise of nearly 15%.
The enforcement results come as Pennsylvania prepares to implement Act 89 of 2026, legislation signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro that strengthens penalties for motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
Beginning in October 2027, drivers will be required to stop at least 15 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, an increase from the current 10-foot requirement.
The legislation also increases fines for convictions and establishes additional penalties for repeat offenders.
Under existing law, motorists convicted of illegally passing a stopped school bus face a $250 fine, five points on their driving record and a 60-day driver’s license suspension.
Violations captured through school bus stop-arm cameras carry a $300 fine.
Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Zeina Black, supervisor of the Permits and Bus Safety Unit, warned that the consequences of failing to stop extend beyond financial penalties.
“A tragedy could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings,” Black stated.
Current Pennsylvania law requires motorists approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and an activated stop arm to stop at least 10 feet away.
The requirement applies to drivers approaching from either direction, except when a school bus is stopped on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a physical barrier or grassy median.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll characterized the enforcement results as evidence of continued risks to students boarding and leaving school buses.
“One incident of passing a stopped school bus is one too many, and we saw nearly 200 in just one day,” Carroll stated.
The findings follow a June 2026 Governor’s Highway Safety Association survey in which 46% of parents whose children ride school buses reported that their children had experienced a close call near a school bus or in a school zone.
Pennsylvania has also directed funding toward school bus safety through driver training programs.
In July, PennDOT committed more than $1.1 million through its School Bus Safety Grant Program to help 26 schools and transportation providers in 19 counties train more than 430 new school bus drivers.
The investment is intended to expand the pool of trained drivers while supporting transportation safety across Pennsylvania school districts.
Education Secretary Carrie Rowe emphasized the importance of motorists remaining attentive when approaching school zones and stopped buses.
“All motorists can help ensure student well-being by giving their undivided attention to the task of driving,” Rowe stated.
State officials also urged students to follow established safety practices when using school transportation.
Recommended precautions include arriving at bus stops at least five minutes early, waiting away from traffic, standing at least five large steps from the roadway and avoiding pushing while boarding or exiting.
Students should also avoid running after buses that have already departed.
The latest enforcement results underscore the state’s continuing efforts to address illegal school bus passing through targeted enforcement, driver education and legislative changes scheduled to take effect next year.
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