Drivers across Pennsylvania will need to stop at least 15 feet from a school bus loading or unloading students, up from the current 10 feet, under a law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on Oct. 22.
Act 89 of 2026, originally introduced as Senate Bill 65, also establishes stronger penalties for repeat offenders. The law applies when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
The stopping distance and penalty changes take effect in October 2027. New school bus safety education provisions take effect in December 2026.
Cumberland Valley records more than 2,200 violations
Pennsylvania's Automated School Bus Enforcement program recorded 76,413 violations statewide in 2024, according to PennDOT's annual report.
That was an increase from 24,085 reported violations in 2023. PennDOT's reporting indicates that expanded camera enforcement contributed to the increase in detected violations.
Cumberland Valley School District was among the 52 districts operating automated enforcement programs in 2024.
The district reported 2,265 notices of violation during that year. Its program included 109 school buses equipped with automated enforcement cameras.
Statewide, the report identified 3,828 buses with camera systems.
PennDOT reported approximately $23.2 million in fines imposed statewide during 2024. Approximately $13.7 million had been collected.
The automated enforcement program allows school districts to use cameras to document vehicles passing stopped buses displaying flashing red lights and an activated stop arm.
What changes under the new law
The new law increases the minimum stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet. It also establishes enhanced penalties for drivers who commit second or subsequent school bus stopping violations.
State Sen. Lisa Baker sponsored the legislation. The Pennsylvania Senate approved it unanimously, and the House passed it 199-4 on Oct. 20.
The law also expands school bus safety education responsibilities.
PennDOT must maintain specified school bus safety information, with additional distribution requirements involving the Pennsylvania Department of Education and school districts.
What drivers should know
The current 10-foot stopping distance remains in effect until the new requirement takes effect in October 2027.
According to PennDOT's school bus safety guidance, drivers approaching a school bus with flashing yellow lights should slow down and prepare to stop.
When a bus has flashing red lights and its stop arm extended, approaching and following drivers must stop.
Drivers traveling in the opposite direction on a roadway separated by a physical barrier, such as a grassy median, concrete barrier or guide rail, are generally exempt from stopping.
Drivers must wait until the bus's red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn and children have reached safety before proceeding.
The new law will apply statewide, including Cumberland Valley and Mechanicsburg-area school districts.
