Pennsylvania Increases School Bus Stopping Distance

Drivers must now maintain a 15-foot buffer around school buses to improve student safety under a new state law.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Administration

Pennsylvania Increases School Bus Stopping Distance

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Pennsylvania drivers must soon follow new school bus safety rules, including an increased mandatory stopping distance of 15 feet. Signed into law as Act 89 of 2026, the legislation aims to protect students by enhancing penalties and requiring additional bus safety education.

Why it matters

The law addresses a significant rise in school bus traffic violations, which jumped from 24,085 incidents in 2023 to 76,413 in 2024. These changes are designed to modify driver behavior and increase the margin of safety for children entering or exiting buses across the state.

The law increases the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet when a school bus has red lights flashing and a stop arm deployed. This update and the accompanying enhanced penalties are scheduled to take effect in 2027.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The Governor of Pennsylvania who signed Senate Bill 65 into law.

PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation responsible for managing road safety and the Automated Bus Enforcement Program.

The details

Drivers are required to stop at least 15 feet away from any school bus displaying flashing red lights and a side stop arm. This distance is intended to provide a larger buffer zone for students as they transition to and from the vehicle. Additionally, the state will implement new safety education programs through PennDOT and local school districts to further improve awareness regarding these requirements.

In 2023, PennDOT recorded 24,085 bus enforcement violations.
In 2024, PennDOT recorded 76,413 bus enforcement violations.
Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 65 into law in October 2026.
Educational components of the law take effect in December 2026.
Stopping distance changes and enhanced penalties take effect in 2027.

The Home Front

This legislation updates Pennsylvania's school bus safety regulations to address the sharp increase in enforcement violations recorded by the state. It aligns with broader efforts to curb reckless driving in school zones through both stricter physical distance mandates and required community education.

Drivers should prepare to increase their stopping buffer for school buses to at least 15 feet starting in 2027. Families should also watch for new safety education materials from their local school districts arriving in the coming months.

The takeaway

Act 89 of 2026 requires drivers to maintain a 15-foot buffer zone when school buses are stopped with lights flashing. To ensure compliance, familiarize yourself with these updated distance requirements before the 2027 enforcement deadline.

What happens next

Educational programs regarding the new bus safety rules begin in December 2026, with the updated stopping distance and penalty changes taking effect in 2027.