The Revised School Bus Laws in PA That You Should Stay Aware of

Have you seen that school buses in PA come equipped with stop-arm cameras nowadays?

Well, those are new additions that are meant to record the license plate of the drivers who fail to stop while the arm is activated. And there has been a lot of commotion due to these newly added elements. According to some people, this new addition is meant to help protect children. On the other hand, some people are of the opinion that the camera violates drivers’ rights.

Not just that, but Pennsylvania school bus laws have welcomed a few changes, which you must stay aware of. So, let’s explore this blog for more detailed information.

A Brief Discussion on the Stop-Arm Camera Law

Recently, there has been new legislation to help protect children getting on and off school buses. The stop-arm camera law happens to be one such initiative.

So, how does it work?

Well, when a driver fails to stop behind a bus that displays its stop arm, the camera records the license plate number. After that, the vehicle’s registered owner receives a $300 fine. However, you should also be aware that a stop-arm camera ticket doesn’t add any points to your license. Nor does it lead to a license suspension. But these tickets can still have severe consequences.

Let’s take a closer look to understand this clearly.

School districts come into contract with vendors. These vendors take up the responsibility of installing the camera systems. When someone violates the stop sign, the camera records the vehicle’s license plate. After that, the vendor reviews and forwards the recordings to the local police department, where the cops review the footage and authorize the citations. Next, the tickets are sent to the vehicle owner via mail.

What’s the Issue Regarding the Law?

This entire procedure of stop-arm camera tickets bypasses the courtroom procedures. Hence, questions about transparency and fairness have been raised about this new law.

Added to that, the main concern is that it is not fair to fine a vehicle owner without any proof of who was driving. According to critics, this procedure shifts the whole burden of proof onto the owner of the vehicle. So, instead of the government proving you committed a violation, it’s you who must prove that you didn’t commit any mistake!

Penalties for Stop-Arm Violations in PA

During a stop-arm violation, if the school bus is equipped with a stop-arm camera, the vehicle owner will be issued a civil ticket. However, these civil tickets won’t add any points to your license or cause a license suspension. Furthermore, you can also challenge the citation through a hearing process.

However, if you’re caught violating the stop-arm by a police officer, it would result in a traffic ticket, which might bring consequences like-

• A minimum fine of $250.
• Five points to your license.
• 60-day suspension of your license.

Amendments to PA School Bus Laws

Now, let’s take a look at some of the amendments in PA school bus laws that have enhanced the safety of children-

• An increase in stopping distance: Previously, the stopping distance was 10 feet, which has now been amended to 15 feet.
• Amber light: When a school bus activates the amber lights, drivers who fail to slow down might be penalized, even if they haven’t passed the bus.
• Additional charges for repeat offenders: In case of repeat offenders, drivers might face a minimum $500 fine, along with mandatory re-testing. Along with that, they might also have to pay additional charges to the School Bus Safety Grant Program.

Remember, the consequences of stop-arm violations can be very severe! So, if you, or someone you know, has received a stop-arm violation ticket, make sure to hire our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers at the Logue Law Group for help. Dial 412-387-6901 to book an appointment ASAP.