Pennsylvania’s
School Bus Safety Program
In Pennsylvania, school districts and law enforcement agencies are using cutting-edge photo enforcement technology to stop drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses.
Across the state, over 50 districts are using BusPatrol technology to make roads safer for students,
with over 3,500 school buses equipped with advanced safety technology.
A National Safety Epidemic
Every year, more than 45 million illegal passes of school buses occur nationwide, according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). The Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Program aims to change driver behavior and eliminate these dangerous violations, ensuring students can safely get on and off the bus.
The Law in Pennsylvania
A school entity may install and operate a side stop signal arm enforcement system for the purpose of enforcing this section.
Pennsylvania law authorizes school districts to implement school bus safety programs violator-funded school bus safety programs using camera systems installed on school buses to record motor vehicles that fail to stop for the school bus in violation of state law.
The legislation enabling the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement program in Pennsylvania was signed into law on October 24, 2018. Amending legislation was signed into law on July 1, 2020, and October 23, 2023.
Participating School Districts
School Districts Using School Bus Photo Enforcement Programs
| School District | Fleet Size* | Web Page |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown School District | 94 | |
| Bensalem Township School District | 83 | Click here |
| Bethlehem Area School District | 121 | |
| Catasauqua Area School District | 20 | Click here |
| Central Bucks School District | 255 | Click here |
| Central Dauphin School District | 131 | Click here |
| Cheltenham School District | 101 | Click here |
| Chichester School District | 40 | |
| Crestwood School District | 34 | Click here |
| Cumberland Valley School District | 107 | Click here |
| Daniel Boone Area School District | 49 | Click here |
| Deer Lakes School District | 26 | |
| East Allegheny School District | 39 | Click here |
| East Lycoming School District | 17 | |
| Easton School District | 97 | Click here |
| Millcreek Township School District | 76 | Click here |
| Garnet Valley School District | 68 | Click here |
| General McLane School District | 30 | |
| Hazleton Area School District | 64 | |
| Kutztown Area School District | 20 | |
| Lower Moreland School District | 46 | Click here |
| Marple Newton Central School District | 55 | Click here |
| McKeesport Area School District | 29 | |
| Methacton School District | 81 | |
| Norristown Area School District | 53 | |
| Northampton Area School District | 93 | Click here |
| Northern Lehigh School District | 24 | Click here |
| North Penn School District | 151 | Click here |
| Northwestern Lehigh School District | 40 | Click here |
| Norwin School District | 94 | Click here |
| Owen J Roberts School District | 95 | Click here |
| Penn Hills School District | 63 | Click here |
| Pennridge School District | 106 | Click here |
| Pennsbury School District | 117 | |
| Phoenixville Area School District | 71 | |
| Pittsburgh Public Schools | 213 | Click here |
| Pottsville Area School District | 16 | Click here |
| Quakertown Community School District | 56 | Click here |
| Rose Tree Media School District | 74 | Click here |
| Salisbury Township School District | 43 | |
| Souderton Area School District | 109 | Click here |
| Southeast Delco School District | 31 | Click here |
| Spring-Ford Area School District | 107 | Click here |
| Spring Grove School District | 59 | |
| Susquehanna Township School District | 37 | Click here |
| Upper Darby School District | 92 | Click here |
| Upper Moreland School District | 42 | Click here |
| Warren County School District | 93 | |
| William Penn School District | 32 | |
| Wilson Area School District | 26 | Click here |
| Wilson School District | 51 | Click here |
| Wissahickon School District | 62 | Click here |
*) Fleet size may vary. This figure is an estimate based on the most recent available data.
Why This Matters
Every Illegal Pass Endangers Students
Every day, nearly 30,000 school buses in Pennsylvania transport around
1.4 million students. Unfortunately, reports have shown that drivers illegally pass these buses more than twice per bus per day.
In an initial study in Allentown, PA, cameras installed on just two school buses recorded 205 illegal passes in 47 days— an average of 2.18 violations per bus each day.
Even more concerning, a recent report issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police uncovered that over 24,000 violations were issued statewide to motorists who illegally passed a stopped school bus in 2023.
These statistics highlight a serious problem:
illegally passing school buses puts children at risk and underscores the need for enhanced enforcement.
How it works
How Pennsylvania
School Bus Safety Programs Work
When a vehicle illegally passes a school bus with its red lights flashing the side stop signal arm enforcement system detects the violation. The footage is sent to law enforcement for review.
Law enforcement reviews the evidence to determine if a violation has occurred
If a violation has occurred, a Notice of Violation is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Data shows that after receiving a Notice of Violation more than 90% of first-time violators do not repeat the offense.
Violations and Fines
How much is the fine for illegally passing a school bus in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a first-time violation captured by a school bus camera is considered a civil offense and results in a $300 fine.
Importantly, because it is a civil offense, no license points are added
to the driver’s record for a first offense
How to Contest a Violation
How do I contest a violation issued through the
School Bus Safety Program?
3345.1(f) lists available defenses to registered owners of vehicles that have been issued NOVs.
- The vehicle owner was not driving at the time of the violation, and the owner may be required to submit evidence that the owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation
- The vehicle was reported stolen to a police department prior to the time the violation occurred and had not been recovered prior to that time.
- The person receiving the notice was not the vehicle owner at the time of the offense.
- The side stop signal arm enforcement system was not in compliance with PennDOT regulations.
Request a Hearing
If you wish to contest a violation, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the notice date.
Complete the form included with your notice and return it by mail or email both sides to pahearingevidence@buspatrol.com
Check Your Notice for Instructions
Detailed instructions are provided on the back of your notice. Ensure you review these instructions carefully for any additional requirements.
More informations
Resources and reports
Stay informed about the progress and impact of the school bus safety program with the latest annual reports. These reports provide detailed insights into enforcement activities, statistics, and outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Annual Report
- Read More
- Read More
Title 75 § 3345
- Read More
- Read More
- Read More
- Read More
- Read More
- Read More
Contact Information
To speak to a representative about a violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at
1-800-852-7741
The Contact Center is available
Monday- Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
English and Spanish-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries
To expedite our service, please have your citation number ready when you call.
Online access
To view the violation video evidence online or to pay a violation by credit card,
visit www.alertbus.com and enter your citation number (example: PA-777777) and vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces), as listed on your citation.
Contact Information
To speak to a representative about a violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at
1-800-852-7741
The Contact Center is available
Monday- Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
English and Spanish-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries
To expedite our service, please have your citation number ready when you call.
Online access
To view the violation video evidence online or to pay a violation by credit card,
visit www.alertbus.com and enter your citation number (example: PA-777777) and vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces), as listed on your citation.
SAFER BUS. SAFER KIDS.
We make the journey to and from school safer for children.
BusPatrol runs the world’s leading stop-arm enforcement program.
Contact Information
To speak to a representative about a violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at
1-800-852-7741
The Contact Center is available
Monday- Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
Online Access
To view the violation video evidence online or to pay a violation by credit card, visit www.alertbus.com and enter your citation number (example:
PA-777777) and vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces), as listed on your citation.