PennDOT issues safety reminders for school zones and bus stops

As the new school year begins, PennDOT District 10 is issuing safety reminders for motorists, parents, and students. Under Pennsylvania law, drivers must stop at least 10 feet away from a school bus when red lights are flashing and the stop arm is activated, unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway with a physical barrier.

Motorists are advised to slow down when seeing flashing yellow lights, which indicate a bus is preparing to stop, and to adhere to 15 mph speed limits in posted school zones. Safety officials also recommend that students arrive at bus stops early and avoid retrieving dropped items near buses without ensuring the driver is aware.

In the broader context of school zone safety, there is an increasing integration of solar-powered technology for signage and flashing systems. Programs such as the United States Department of Transportation’s ‘Safe Routes to School’ provide specifications for signage and general safety to protect young pedestrians during their commutes.