With the start of a new school year just days away, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Highway Safety Network, and the PENNCREST School District are working together to remind drivers and students about pedestrian and school bus safety.
PENNCREST, which serves schools in Saegertown, Maplewood, and Cambridge Springs, joins other districts across the region in welcoming students back to class next week.
“Every morning and afternoon, our students depend on drivers to be their protectors,” said PENNCREST Superintendent Shawn Ford. “Safe driving around schools isn’t just following traffic laws – it’s safeguarding our community’s future.”
PennDOT is reminding motorists to obey posted speed limits in school zones and to eliminate distractions to stay alert for children walking or biking to school.
Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet from a bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Motorists must stop when following a bus, meeting it head-on, or approaching an intersection where the bus is stopped. The only exception is when a physical barrier, such as a median or guide rail, separates the lanes.
Violators face a $250 fine, five points on their driving record, and a 60-day license suspension.
“Not every child rides the bus to school, so it is crucial to have drivers’ cooperation in helping get students who walk to school to their classes and back home safely,” said Mike Tautin, a Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with Highway Safety Network.
Students are urged to walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or against traffic on the shoulder if sidewalks are not available. They should avoid cell phones and headphones, wear bright or reflective clothing, and cross only at crosswalks or intersections. At bus stops, children should stay 10 feet back from the curb and wait until the driver signals it is safe to board.
For more information on school transportation safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
