Since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, the Upper Allen Police Department has received multiple reports of drivers failing to stop for school buses with flashing red lights. With National School Bus Safety Week approaching later this month (October 18-22, 2021), the Upper Allen Police would like to remind motorists that Pennsylvania law requires the following when a driver encounters a school bus with its lights activated:
Yellow signal lights activated
– Proceed past the bus with caution and be prepared to stop the vehicle
Red signal lights activated and side stop signal arms extended
– Stop vehicle at least 10 feet before reaching the school bus
– Do not proceed until the flashing red signals are deactivated and the stop arms have retracted
– In no event shall the driver move until any children have reached a place of safety
– When a bus is stopped at an intersection with lights activated, all directions of the intersection must stop
These requirements apply on all roadways unless they are physically separated, such as a guard rail or concrete center barrier.
