In the near future, we plan to introduce a resolution designating the week of October 20-24, 2025, as “School Bus Safety Week” in Pennsylvania, aligning with National School Bus Safety Week as endorsed by both the National Association for Pupil Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). This resolution is substantially similar to Senate Resolution 355 of the 2023-24 Legislative Session.

According to the Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA), approximately 450,000 school buses travel around 4.3 billion miles annually nationwide, transporting about 23.5 million students to and from school and school-related activities. Our school bus drivers maintain an exceptional safety record that makes school bus travel statistically the safest form of transport for school children according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration.

PennDOT provides essential safety guidelines for drivers, parents, and students. This includes following traffic laws, such as stopping when behind a bus with flashing red lights and remaining stopped until the stop arm retracts and all children are safely off the road.

In recent years, the General Assembly has advanced measures to improve student safety, including strengthening the school bus stop arm camera program, expanding eligibility for prospective drivers who use hearing aids, and increasing vehicle stopping distances with tougher penalties for repeat offenders—underscoring its continued commitment to protecting schoolchildren.

Our resolution aims to spotlight these critical safety measures and acknowledge the vital role of school bus drivers in ensuring our children’s safe and timely travel. Raising awareness of school bus safety is crucial for the well-being of our children, families, and communities.

Previous co-sponsors of SR 355 were: Senators Langerholc, Argall, Boscola, Brewster, Brown, Comitta, Costa, Dush, Fontana, Haywood, Miller, Phillips-Hill, Robinson, Tartaglione and Vogel.

We invite you to co-sponsor this resolution to underscore the importance of child safety during school travel and to express our gratitude to school bus drivers across the Commonwealth.