Mind Your School Bus Ps & Qs

With the first day of school only weeks away, Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles reminds all drivers of their responsibilities when sharing the road with a school bus.

The safety of the students is the most important thing to remember, of course, but did you know what can happen if you DON'T comply with school bus laws?

Violations of the red signal/stop arm at a school bus carries penalties that include: five points on your drivers license, a $250 fine and a 60-day suspension of your license. 

When you see a school bus, remember:

1. When a school bus driver turns on the red signal and "stop" sign arm, a driver of a vehicle, either approaching from the opposite direction or behind the school bus must stop at least 10 feet from the bus, remained stopped until the red lights are turned off.

2. When a school bus driver turns on the yellow lights, he is notifying the driver that a stop to either pick up or let off children will occur within 100 to 300 feet. Drivers observing the yellow flashing lights should proceed with caution and only proceed pass the bus if traveling in the opposite direction.

3. Be most careful when a bus is picking up or unloading children. 

The state also reminds drivers:

* 1.5 million children ride school buses every day

* These children are transported more than 400 million miles to school each year.

* Every year, children are needlessly injured or killed by drivers passing stopped school buses.