2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 75 - VEHICLES
Chapter 33 - Rules of the Road in General
3345 - Meeting or overtaking school bus.

     § 3345.  Meeting or overtaking school bus.
        (a)  Duty of approaching driver when red signals are
     flashing.--Except as provided in subsection (g), the driver of a
     vehicle meeting or overtaking any school bus stopped on a
     highway or trafficway shall stop at least ten feet before
     reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the school
     bus are flashing and the side stop signal arms are activated
     under section 4552(b.1) (relating to general requirements for
     school buses). The driver shall not proceed until the flashing
     red signal lights are no longer actuated. In no event shall a
     driver of a vehicle resume motion of the vehicle until the
     school children who may have alighted from the school bus have
     reached a place of safety. The driver of a vehicle approaching
     an intersection at which a school bus is stopped shall stop his
     vehicle at that intersection until the flashing red signal
     lights are no longer actuated.
        (a.1)  Reports by school bus operators.--
            (1)  The operator of a school bus who observes a
        violation of subsection (a) may prepare a signed, written
        report which indicates that a violation has occurred. To the
        extent possible, the report shall include the following
        information:
                (i)  Information, if any, pertaining to the identity
            of the alleged violator.
                (ii)  The license number and color of the vehicle
            involved in the violation.
                (iii)  The time and approximate location at which the
            violation occurred.
                (iv)  Identification of the vehicle as an automobile,
            station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or
            other type of vehicle.
            (2)  Within 48 hours after the violation occurs, the
        school bus operator shall deliver a copy of the report to a
        police officer having authority to exercise police power in
        the area where the violation occurred. If the police officer
        believes that the report establishes a sufficient basis for
        the issuance of a citation, the officer shall file a citation
        and the report with the issuing authority. If the issuing
        authority determines that the report and citation establish a
        sufficient basis for the issuance of a summons, a summons
        shall be issued in accordance with general rules governing
        the institution of proceedings in summary traffic offense
        cases. The issuing authority shall send the defendant a copy
        of the citation, together with a statement that it was filed
        by the police officer named in the citation on the basis of
        information received.
            (3)  A person may institute a proceeding pursuant to this
        subsection or in accordance with any means authorized by the
        Rules of Criminal Procedure.
        (b)  Duty of approaching driver when amber signals are
     flashing.--The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking any
     school bus shall proceed past the school bus with caution and
     shall be prepared to stop when the amber signal lights are
     flashing.
        (c)  Use of red signals.--The red visual signals shall be
     actuated by the driver of every school bus whenever the vehicle
     is stopped on a highway or trafficway for the purpose of
     receiving or discharging school children, except as provided in
     subsections (e) and (f). The signals shall not be terminated
     until the school children who may have alighted from the school
     bus have reached a place of safety or until boarding school
     children have completed boarding the bus.
        (d)  Use of amber signals.--The amber visual signals shall be
     actuated by the driver of every school bus not more than 300
     feet nor less than 150 feet prior to making a stop for the
     purpose of receiving or discharging school children and shall
     remain in operation until the red visual signals are actuated.
     Amber signals shall not be used unless the red visual signals
     are to be actuated immediately following.
        (e)  Limitations on use of signals.--The visual signals
     required in the regulations shall not be actuated on streets in
     urban districts designated by the department or local
     authorities, at intersections or other places where traffic is
     controlled by uniformed police officers or appropriately attired
     persons authorized to direct, control or regulate traffic, or in
     school bus loading areas designated by the department or local
     authorities when the bus is entirely off the roadway.
        (f)  Operation for nonschool purposes.--When a school bus is
     being operated upon a highway for purposes other than the actual
     transportation of school children to or from school or in
     connection with school activities, all markings indicating
     "SCHOOL BUS" shall be covered or concealed. During such
     operation, the flashing visual signals shall not be actuated.
        (f.1)  Use of school buses for transportation of disabled
     persons.--Whenever a school bus is being used upon a highway or
     trafficway for the transportation of disabled persons
     exclusively and the school bus is equipped with red signal
     lights, the driver of the school bus may actuate the signal
     lights in the same manner as set forth in this section regarding
     the transportation of school children. The driver of a vehicle
     approaching the school bus shall have the same duties regarding
     stopping, passing and overtaking as he does with respect to a
     school bus carrying school children.
        (g)  Exceptions from stopping requirements.--The driver of a
     vehicle upon a highway or trafficway with separate roadways need
     not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus with actuated red
     signal lights which is on a different roadway.
        (h)  Loading zones for school children.--Every school
     district transporting school children by school bus shall
     establish and maintain school bus loading zones at or near all
     schools to or from which school children are transported and
     shall establish school bus loading zones along the highways and
     trafficways traversed by school buses in accordance with
     regulations promulgated by the department.
        (i)  Mandatory use of loading zones.--Whenever school bus
     loading zones have been established at or near a school or along
     a highway or trafficway, it is unlawful for a school bus
     operator to stop the bus to pick up or discharge school children
     at any location other than at the loading zones. A list of
     approved loading zones for the route of the bus shall be carried
     by the operator.
        (j)  Penalty.--A person who violates subsection (a) or (f.1)
     commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be
     sentenced to pay a fine of $250.
     (Mar. 29, 1984, P.L.155, No.30, eff. 60 days; Dec. 19, 1988,
     P.L.1290, No.163, eff. imd.; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151,
     eff. 60 days; Oct. 4, 2002, P.L.845, No.123, eff. 60 days)

        2002 Amendment.  Act 123 amended subsec. (j). Section 13 of
     Act 123 provided that the amendment of subsec. (j) shall apply
     to offenses committed on or after the effective date of section
     13.
        1998 Amendment.  Act 151 amended subsecs. (a), (c), (f.1),
     (g), (h) and (i).
        1984 Amendment.  Act 30 added subsecs. (a.1) and (f.1) and
     amended subsec. (j).
        Cross References.  Section 3345 is referred to in sections
     1535, 1553, 3101, 4552, 4553, 6506 of this title.