Pennsylvania has enacted tougher school bus safety measures designed to protect students and hold reckless drivers accountable, following the signing of legislation sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20).
The legislation, formerly Senate Bill 65 and now designated as Act 89 of 2026, updates Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law:
Drivers will now be required to stop at least 15 feet away from a school bus with its red lights flashing and side stop arm extended—up from the previous 10-foot requirement.
The law closes a long-standing loophole by creating enhanced penalties specifically targeting repeat offenders with second or subsequent violations.
PennDOT and local school districts are assigned new responsibilities to broaden public safety education regarding school bus laws.
The policy shift follows a sharp spike in reported incidents. PennDOT’s Automated School Bus Enforcement Program recorded 76,413 violations in 2024, up significantly from 24,085 in 2023. While the rise is partly attributed to the expansion of automated camera enforcement, officials say the numbers highlight an ongoing safety hazard.
“Every child deserves to get to and from school safely, and motorists have a responsibility to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading students,” Sen. Baker said. “Act 89 is about changing driver behavior and holding repeat offenders accountable.”
Gerry Wosewick, executive director of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, praised the enactment, stating that the law “sends a clear message that putting children’s lives at risk will not be tolerated.”
