School Bus Safety Tips

Be sure you know Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law, and talk to your children about bus stop safety.

Tips for Students

Never walk close to the front or sides of the bus. The bus driver may not be able to see you.
When crossing the street to get onto the bus, always look left, then right, and left again.
If you drop something near the bus, don’t pick it up until you tell the bus driver. Otherwise, they may not see you.
Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay to board before stepping onto the bus.
Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never accept rides from a stranger.
Always go straight home and tell your parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or offers you a ride.

Yellow flashing lights on the bus indicate the bus is coming to a stop for loading or unloading. Slow down and get ready to stop.
Red flashing lights and a stop signal arm indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your vehicle at least 10 feet before reaching the school bus. You may not proceed until the flashing red signal lights are no longer activated.
You can be fined $250 for each violation when improperly meeting or overtaking a school bus. Additionally, a conviction will result in a 60-day driver’s license suspension and five points on your driving record.
Please obey all posted speed limits, especially in school zones where penalties for speeding are enhanced.

Visit PennDOT's School Bus Safety page for additional tips and a graphic that explains when drivers must stop for a school bus.