Top 5 things you need to know about pennsylvania's shocking new school bus safety law
- This week, Pennsylvania became the first state to enforce a zero-tolerance rule for passing stopped school buses, with automatic license plate readers now issuing instant $500 fines.
- The new law, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, uses AI-powered cameras mounted on the arms of the bus to catch any vehicle that illegally passes, even if a police officer isn't present.
- Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shows that over 1,000 motorists are caught each school day statewide, leading to an estimated 50,000 new tickets in the first month alone.
- Drivers caught by the cameras will receive a mailed citation, but critics argue the system targets low-income communities where a single ticket can lead to license suspension.
- The move has sparked a national debate, with at least four other states watching Pennsylvania's rollout as a model for their own traffic enforcement overhauls.