Latest news with #SchoolBusSafetyGrantProgram
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PennDOT announces $1.2M available in grants for school bus safety
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that $1.2 million is available in grants to help increase school bus safety. The funds, available through the School Bus Safety Grant 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 someone earning their commercial learner's permit and license. 'This grant program furthers Governor Shapiro's commitment to providing a safe transportation system for all Pennsylvanians,' PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. '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.' Independent school bus contractors, school entities and municipalities are eligible to apply for grants, which can be done online beginning June 2 through July 3 at 12:00 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PennDOT announces grant funding to support school bus safety
Pa. (WETM) – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced a new source of funding for public entities looking to help enhance safety measures for children who ride school buses. On Tuesday, May 27, PennDOT announced that $1.2 million in grant funding is now available through the recently established School Bus Safety Grant Program, which seeks to prioritize keeping children safe while on or around school buses. PennDOT updates automated school bus enforcement law Through Pennsylvania law, school districts are allowed to utilize automated camera systems to enforce Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law and enhance safety for students who ride school buses. Through this method, those who violate the law will be subject to a $300 fine, of which $25 will be paid to PennDOT to be used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program. 'This grant program furthers Governor Shapiro's commitment to providing a safe transportation system for all Pennsylvanians,' said PennDOT Secretary Mike 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.' PennDOT announces installation of nation's first real-time transit tracking service Funding through the program is available to independent school bus contractors, school entities and municipalities looking to promote and increase school bus safety, education and training, as well as pay for the education, training and other costs associated with earning a commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license or school bus endorsement for driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Those who are eligible for the program can apply online from Sunday, June 2, through midnight on Thursday, July 3. Any questions about applications should be emailed to RA-PDASBEGP@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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
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.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill aiming to strengthen school bus safety laws advances to Senate
(WHTM) — The Senate Transportation Committee has passed a new bill that aims to strengthen school bus safety laws in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 65, proposed by State Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), 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. The bill would also create stiffer 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, 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, 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. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now '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. 'The alarming number of violations involving vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses makes it clear — more must be done to protect our students.' According to the bill's memo, current state law states that if a driver is convicted of overtaking a school bus when red signals are flashing, they will face a penalty of a $250 fine, 5 points on the driving record, and a 60-day driver's license suspension. The memo says despite these penalties, recent data shows that approximately 1,000 drivers each year are convicted of passing a stopped school bus with signals flashing, with many more citations issued without resulting in a conviction or even a citation due to the inability to catch the offender's license plate. '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 says the Pennsylvania School Bus Association supports the bill, which now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
