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New Pa. Law: Drivers Must Stop 15 Feet From School Buses
The law adds a clear buffer zone and tougher penalties to protect students boarding and exiting buses, officials said.
- Pennsylvania enacted Act 89 of 2026, increasing the required stopping distance for drivers approaching school buses from 10 feet to 15 feet when red signal lights and stop arms are activated.
- State Senator Lisa Baker, R-20, sponsored the law to modify driver behavior and hold repeat offenders accountable. Baker said, "Act 89 is about changing driver behavior and holding repeat offenders accountable."
- PennDOT's Automated School Bus Enforcement Program recorded 76,413 violations in 2024, up from 24,085 in 2023; Baker's office cited expanded automated enforcement as contributing to the initiative.
- Executive director Gerry Wosewick of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association said the law "sends a clear message that putting children's lives at risk will not be tolerated."
- The new stopping distance and enhanced penalties take effect in one year; Baker received the 2026 National School Bus Safety Leadership Award from Safe Kids Worldwide for her work on the issue.
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New PA school bus safety bill signed into law
A new law has been signed into state legislation, improving safety for children as they make their way to and from school across the Commonwealth. Act 89, sponsored by State Senator Lisa Baker (R- 20), strengthens Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law. Under this law, the required school bus stopping distance is increased from 10 feet [...]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources46
Leaning Left7Leaning Right10Center27Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Center
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources are Center
61% Center
L 16%
C 61%
R 23%
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