Latest news with #OperationSafeStop
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PennDOT: $1.2 million in funding available to increase school bus safety
May 27—WILKES-BARRE — PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll on Tuesday urged motorists to always stop for — and never pass — stopped school buses with their red lights flashing and stop arm activated. "The safety of our children is in your hands," Secretary Carroll said. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that $1.2 million is available in a new grant program to help increase school bus safety. These funds are made available through the newly established School Bus Safety Grant Program. Secretary Carroll said Pennsylvania law allows school districts to install and operate automated camera systems for the purpose of enforcing Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law and increasing safety for children riding school buses across the state. Secretary Carroll said of the $300 fine assessed for these automated violations, the law requires $25 be paid to PennDOT to be used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program. PennDOT said grants from the program can be used to promote and increase school bus safety, education and training, as well as pay for education, training and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities are eligible to apply for grants from the program. "This grant program furthers Gov. Josh Shapiro's commitment to providing a safe transportation system for all Pennsylvanians," said Carroll. "The funding will allow schools and their partners to invest in programs designed to increase the safety of children riding school buses across the state." Eligible organizations can apply online at beginning June 2, through midnight July 3. Program information can be found online Application questions should be emailed to RA-PDASBEGP@ According to data from Operation Safe Stop 2024, participating school districts and law enforcement agencies reported witnessing 131 violations of the law on one day alone. Operation Safe Stop, held annually in October during School Bus Safety Week, is a school bus enforcement and education initiative aimed at enhancing school bus safety for students across Pennsylvania. According to Automated School Bus Enforcement program data for 2023, there were 24,085 violations recorded. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce bill to boost school bus safety
Law enforcement officials and bus drivers in 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day during their Operation Safe Stop campaign. This showed the ongoing risks faced by pennsylvania students every day. We've had several accidents within the last two years, some of them even fatal. Federal cuts put invasive sea lamprey control efforts in jeopardy Legislators have hopes that a new bill will make a difference. The Senate Transportation Committee has passed a bill to strengthen school bus safety laws and better protect children across the Commonwealth. This is in response to the 'alarming number of violations' like this one that happened to an elementary student at a local school district in 2023. Senator Lisa Baker introduced the bill. 'It had unanimous support coming out of the committee Democrats and Republicans alike both supporting that bill and I think eventually when this bill comes to the Senate for a vote it will pass,' said Ryan bizzarro (D), PA state representative 3rd district. Some of the highlights written in the bill include the following; it increases stopping distance for opposing drivers from 10 to 15 feet and creates penalties such as higher fines and mandatory driver education for repeat offenders who fail to stop. New tech on Millcreek school buses cracks down on drivers illegally passing The legislation also gives judges the ability to impose a fine between $250 and $500 for first-time offenders as opposed to the current flat fine of $250. Representative Bizzarro said that drivers violating these laws have always been an issue. 'We get dozens of calls per year particularly where there are issues or there are almost issues with students crossing or almost getting hit,' he said. 'It's a community, to and from school.' To enhance student safety Millcreek Township has added multiple cameras to their buses however, they said it really comes down to driver awareness. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The biggest issues for us are on four-lane roads that have a turn lane in the middle. If the bus is in those opposite lanes you do still have to stop. We see the 41 43 and 45 hundred blocks of West 26th Street West, Ridge Road is our biggest area where we're having an issue,' said Trevor Murnock, assistant superintendent of the Millcreek Township School District. Murnock said they have seen a general decline in violations but they are still averaging between 2 and 3 hundred a month. They even have times when cars pass the bus on the right side where students are loading onto the bus. 'Please be aware if you see a school bus anywhere please pay attention to it and certainly when you see the lights on be prepared to stop,' Murnock went on to say. Peek'n Peak welcomes golfers back for start of the season The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Baker's school bus safety bill unanimously passes Transportation Committee
Mar. 26—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Wednesday said the alarming number of violations involving vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses makes it clear — more must be done to protect students. Baker, R-Lehman Township, said the Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance a critical piece of legislation she introduced to strengthen school bus safety laws and better protect children. "Every day, children across the commonwealth rely on school buses for safe transport, and it is our duty to ensure that safety is upheld to the highest standard," said Baker. Baker said her Senate Bill 65 increases the required stopping distance for opposing drivers from 10 feet to 15 feet, creating a greater buffer for children entering and exiting the bus. Baker said the bill also creates penalties for repeat offenders who fail to stop when a school bus has engaged its red signal lights and side stop arm, including higher fines and mandatory driver education. For a second or subsequent conviction, Baker said a person receives the same five points on their license and a 60-day driver's license suspension, plus a fine of no less than $500 and a $35 surcharge to the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Additionally, Baker said they must either attend a driver improvement school or undergo a special examination, as determined by PennDOT. The legislation also modifies the penalty for first-time offenders, giving judges the ability to impose a fine between $250 and $500, rather than the current flat $250 fine, as egregious violations warrant. For the first time, Baker said the bill establishes penalties for drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights, ensuring greater accountability. Baker said the need for these changes is underscored by alarming statistics. During "Operation Safe Stop" in October 2024, law enforcement officials and bus drivers in just 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day — demonstrating the ongoing risks faced by Pennsylvania students. "This legislation sends a strong message that we will not tolerate reckless driving around school buses, and I look forward to seeing it advance through the Senate," said Baker. The measure is supported by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
