State police prepare for opening of school

STAFF REPORT

BUTLER, Pa. — In an effort to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic crashes involving school buses and children, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop D will increase patrols in the areas of school zones, school bus stops and school events.

On Monday, school comes back in session for many local school districts. The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop D (Butler, Mercer, New Castle, Beaver and Kittanning Barracks) would like to remind motorists to be aware of the increased pedestrian and school bus traffic as thousands of local children head back to school.

As school time returns, troopers will be again targeting violators of the school bus passing laws. Enforcement efforts will include troopers riding on school buses where they can collect information of violators and also work with the children providing safety information during the ride. Troopers will also be following school buses in marked patrol vehicles, which will allow for high visibility to the public and potential violators.

Troopers will target selected school bus routes that have demonstrated a high incidence of illegal passes for violations of the stopped school bus statute.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code section 3345 Meeting or Overtaking School Bus: A person who violates this section commits a summary offense and upon conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $250. In addition to the fine, the Department of Transportation will assess five points to violators’ driving record and their driver’s license will be suspended for 60 days.