Signed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund and automated enforcement of failure to stop for school buses with red flashing lights.

Highlights:

• Requires the driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking a bus stopped on a highway or trafficway to stop at least 10 feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the schoolbus are flashing and the side stop signal arms are activated (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the driver from proceeding pass a stopped bus until the flashing red signal lights are no longer activated (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a school bus driver to prepare a report if a driver is observed violating these rules (Sec. 1).

• Requires the driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking any school bus to proceed past the school but with caution and be prepared to stop when the amber signal lights are flashing (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the driver of a vehicle upon a highway or trafficway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus with actuated red signal lights which is on a different roadway (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes school district to install and operate an automated side stop signal arm enforcement system (Sec. 1).  

• Requires the automated side stop signal arm enforcement system to use necessary technologies to ensure that photographs or recorded video images produced by the system shall not identify the operator, the passengers or the contents of the vehicle (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the images obtained through the use of an automated side stop signal arm enforcement system to be destroyed within one year of final disposition of the recorded event (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a school district to enter into an agreement with a private vendor or manufacturer to provide an automated side stop signal are enforcement system on each bus within its fleet up to including the installation, operation and maintenance of the systems (Sec. 1).

• Defines “automated side stop signal arm enforcement system” as a camera system with two or more camera sensors and computers that produce recorded video and two or more film or digital photographic still images of a motor vehicle being used or operated in a manner that violates this act (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text