School is back in session; what are the school bus stopping requirements in PA?
Sep 16th, 2008 | By Michael L. Saile, Jr., Esq. | Category: Blogs, Criminal & TrafficNow that PA and NJ local schools are back in session, there is a good chance that you will confront a school bus stopping in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Many drivers approach Bucks County school bus stops and are unsure of the rules of the road.
Whenever you approach a school bus in Bucks County, PA that has its red lights flashing, you have a duty to stop your vehicle at least ten feet away from the school bus. You are not permitted to proceed until the Bucks County school bus driver has turned off the red flashing lights.
When you are driving on a Bucks County road with painted lines in the middle and there is a school bus stopping your lane or the oncoming lane you must stop your vehicle. If you are approaching a Bucks County road intersection of any kind and there is a school bus stopped with its red lights activated, you must also stop your vehicle.
The only time that you are free to proceed without stopping for a school bus is when the Bucks County school bus stop is located in the oncoming lane and there is a physical divider or a large clearly indicated dividing section between your lane and the school bus’ lane.
We agree with PennDot when it states “If in Doubt, STOP!”
The penalties for not stopping at a Bucks County school bus stop include a 60-day license suspension, 5 DMV points on your driving record, and a $250.00 fine.
If you have been issued a traffic ticket for a school bus stop violation in PA or NJ, including Bucks County, we may be able to help you reduce the penalties.
YEAH, I GUESS THAT MAKES SENSe to stop when in doubt.
Here in nj i think it is longer than 10 feet though, which is sometimes impossible because of curves in roads and you dont see the bus, or the bus putsa on the red lights and you are alongside it, …… cops look for those situations, even though they arent the drivers fault, to give tickets.
on a side note — i just heard on a tv radio show today, that at the meadowlands for giantys and jets games, if you get there 8 hours before game, tailgate, they sweep you out of the parking lot 6 hours before the game, make you drive out and come back in 5 hours prior to the game.
that is a dangerous thing– because people could be drinking for hours, forced to drive the car back out onto the turnpike,… and if the person is intoxicated enough, it could lead to a catotrophic accident,– not smart move by the meadowlands commission