School Bus Safety
- When a school bus operator activates 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.
- When a school bus operator activates the yellow lights of the school bus 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.
- Remember the utmost caution must be used when a bus is picking up or unloading children. THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN MUST BE YOUR FIRST CONSIDERATION.
- VIOLATIONS OF THE RED SIGNAL/STOP ARM AT A SCHOOL BUS CARRIES A HEAVY PENALTY. FIVE (5) POINTS ON YOUR LICENSE, A HEFTY FINE AND A 60 DAY SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE.
Move Over Law
Read more about Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law here. Vehicle Code 4302(a)(3) requires drivers to display lighted headlamps any time the vehicle’s windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to precipitation or atmospheric moisture, including rain, snow, sleet or mist.
On November 9, 2011, Governor Tom Corbett signed legislation that bans texting while driving on Pennsylvania roads. The law, which makes texting while driving a primary offense carrying a $50 fine, takes effect 120 calendar days from November 9th, 2011.
Ban on Texting While Driving
“Senate Bill 314 aims to put a halt to texting from behind the wheel and is intended to save lives,” Corbett said during a bill-signing event in suburban Harrisburg. “No text message is worth a human life. The message of this legislation is drive now and text later.”
The law specifically does the following:
- Prohibits as a primary offense all drivers from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD) to send, read or write a text-based message.
- Defines an IWCD as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the Internet.
- Defines a text-based message as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an IWCD.
- Institutes a $50 fine for convictions under this section.
- Makes clear that this law supersedes and preempts any local ordinances restricting the use of interactive wireless devices by drivers.
Ban on Use of Hand-Held Devices While Driving
“PENNSYLVANIA’S DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW- Known as Paul Miller’s Law, this law bans the use of hand-held devices while driving. Effective June 5, 2025, the law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device (IMD) while driving a motor vehicle.
The law:
- Defines an interactive mobile device as a handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the Internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data.
- Defines driving as operating a motor vehicle on a highway, including anytime the motor vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device (e.g., a traffic light or stop sign), or other momentary delay.
- Defines the use of an interactive mobile device as using at least one hand to hold, or supporting with another part of the body, an interactive mobile device, dialing or answering an interactive mobile device by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for an interactive mobile device that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.
Penalties Under this Law
As a primary offense, drivers can be stopped by police if they have a mobile device in
their hand while driving.
- For the first 12 months, the penalty is a written warning.
- Effective June 5, 2026, the penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.
- If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.
A driver may use an interactive mobile device if the driver moves the vehicle to the side of or off a highway and halts in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. The hands-free law allows for an emergency use exception if it is necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service to prevent injury to persons or property.”
Read more about Paul Miller’s Law here or here.