Watch Out For those School Busses

It's getting dark earlier and school students have more after school activities leading to more children heading home later in the dusk hours. Keep an eye out for those flashing lights and be extra aware of the kids getting off the bus! Flashing red school bus lights mean PAY ATTENTION! You don't want to take the chance of going through these flashing lights, it could be detrimental to your driver's license and even worse, the kids getting off the bus!

§ 3345. Meeting or overtaking school bus.
(a) Duty of approaching driver when red signals are flashing.–Except as provided in subsection (g), the driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking any school bus stopped on a highway or trafficway shall stop at least ten feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the school bus are flashing and the side stop signal arms are activated under section 4552(b.1) (relating to general requirements for school buses). The driver shall not proceed until the flashing red signal lights are no longer actuated. In no event shall a driver of a vehicle resume motion of the vehicle until the school children who may have alighted from the school bus have reached a place of safety. The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection at which a school bus is stopped shall stop his vehicle at that intersection until the flashing red signal lights are no longer actuated.

The important part is to remember that you should slow down when children are present, and be extra aware of your surroundings to prevent a horrible accident. Stay at least 10 feet behind the bus with flashing lights, and you can always use your flashers to remind other drivers to pay attention. Drive Safe!