Back in the Classroom Again…
LOCK HAVEN – The clouds parted, the sun came out, and the 2018-19 school year began Wednesday for better than 3,800 students in the Keystone Central School District. First day classes included that of Mrs. Kathi Neidrich’s third grade class at Dickey Elementary School. It was Mrs. Neidrich who coordinated the gift of school supplies to Dickey from the UPMC Extended Care residents at Lock Haven Hospital. They chose Dickey Elementary to be the recipient of their most recent community service project.
The weatherman provided a break in the recent rainy weather with lower humidity and more sunshine predicted for the remainder of this week.
As the sun came out, school buses were evident with their first-day runs. And PennDOT issued a reminder relative to the penalties assessed for violation of the school bus stopping law:
HARRISBURG – As the new school year gets underway, motorists need to be vigilant to avoid potentially tragic crashes and strong penalties as school buses return to the roads and transport children.
“Our lives are filled with distractions, but we simply must put them aside and focus on the road ahead when we get behind the wheel,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “Even a momentary distraction – especially around school buses and in school zones – can lead to tragedy.”
Motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended are required to stop in all directions at least 10 feet from the bus. The only exception to the law is when a school bus is stopped on the opposite side of a highway clearly separated by a divider, such as concrete barriers or grass medians. Even in this situation, motorists should remain watchful of students trying to cross the road to catch the bus.
If convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law, drivers face a $250 fine, five points on their driving record and a 60-day license suspension.
Students are also exposed to traffic while waiting for buses or walking to the bus stop or school. Motorists are reminded to be cautious and alert when approaching a school bus stop and to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
In addition to watching for school buses, motorists should be alert in school zones, which become hubs of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 mph in school zones. If convicted, violators face a fine and three points on their driving record.
