Harrisburg, Pa. — Drivers in Pennsylvania will have to stop farther back from school buses and repeat violators will face tougher penalties under a new state law sponsored by state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20.
Senate Bill 65, now Act 89 of 2026, increases the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet when a school bus is stopped with its red signal lights flashing and its side stop arm extended, according to Baker’s office. It also sets enhanced penalties for second and subsequent violations, which current law does not punish more heavily, the release said.
The educational parts of the law take effect in December. The new 15-foot stopping distance and the enhanced penalties take effect in one year, according to Baker’s office. The law also assigns new school bus safety education duties to PennDOT and school districts.
PennDOT’s Automated School Bus Enforcement Program recorded 76,413 violations in 2024, up from 24,085 in 2023, according to the release. Baker’s office said expanded automated enforcement contributed to the increase.
“Every child deserves to get to and from school safely, and motorists have a responsibility to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading students,” Baker said. “Act 89 is about changing driver behavior and holding repeat offenders accountable.”
Gerry Wosewick, executive director of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, said the law “sends a clear message that putting children’s lives at risk will not be tolerated.”
Baker received the 2026 National School Bus Safety Leadership Award from Safe Kids Worldwide for her work on the issue, according to her office.