The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently reinforced the importance of school transportation safety and highlighted the potential school transportation challenges posed by changing daylight conditions. The results of Operation Safe Stop, an annual school bus enforcement and education initiative that was held on Oct. 19, were also announced.

Operation Safe Stop data revealed that participating school districts and law enforcement agencies reported witnessing 155 violations of the law, down from the 252 reported last year. The initiative is held in conjunction with local and state police departments, school districts, and pupil transportation providers to conduct enforcement, raise public awareness about the consequences of improper passing of school buses, and reduce occurrences.

The School Bus Stopping Law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet from the bus when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. The only exception to this law is when motorists encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway when lanes of the highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as a concrete barrier or grassy median.

Some safety tips for students to remember while waiting for or loading and unloading the bus include getting to the school bus stop five minutes early, so they will not have to run across the road to catch the bus. When waiting for the bus, students should stay away from traffic. Students should line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus. Children should never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop. Children should never push when getting on or off the school bus.

For more information about school bus safety, visit http://www.dmv.pa.gov and search for "School Bus Safety Tips."