Bill OBoyle: State's 'Operation Safe Stop' stresses safe driving around school buses
Nov. 13—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) was joined this week by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and other transportation partners to reinforce the importance of school transportation safety and highlight the potential school transportation challenges posed by changing daylight conditions.
The results of Operation Safe Stop, an annual school bus enforcement and education initiative that was held on Oct. 19 this year, were also announced.
Operation Safe Stop data revealed that participating school districts and law enforcement agencies reported witnessing 155 violations of the law — down from the 252 reported last year.
The initiative is held in conjunction with local and state police departments, school districts, and pupil transportation providers to conduct enforcement, raise public awareness about the consequences of improper passing of school buses, and reduce occurrences.
Convictions for breaking the School Bus Stopping Law increased from 314 in 2020 to 348 in 2021.
"The increase in convictions of the School Bus Stopping Law last year is just one reason why we're reminding motorists of its importance," said Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser. "One incident of passing a school bus is one too many. With additional challenges such as darkness coinciding with more of our students' school bus ride times and the distraction of the quickly approaching holiday season, it is important that motorists remain vigilant while sharing the road with school buses and students."
The School Bus Stopping Law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet from the bus when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop.
The only exception to this law is when motorists encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway when lanes of the highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as a concrete barrier or grassy median.
"Drivers might consider the penalties if convicted of disobeying Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping law steep — a $250 fine, five points on your driving record and a 60-day license suspension," said Corporal Zeina Black, Permits and Bus Safety Unit Supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Police. "But even worse than these penalties, a tragedy could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings."
Some safety tips for students to remember while waiting for or loading and unloading the bus include:
—Get to the school bus stop five minutes early, so you won´t have to run across the road to catch the bus.
—When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic.
—Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus.
—Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.
—Never push when getting on or off the school bus.
"Student safety at school bus stops and in school zones is of the utmost importance and requires the undivided attention of all motorists," said Department of Education Secretary Eric Hagarty. "Local school districts work hard to identify the safest locations possible for school bus stops and to train their staff. But to ensure that students remain safe, we urge all drivers to watch for the flashing lights of school buses and always stop when students are getting on and off."
For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT's School Bus Safety Tips page on PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website. The website also offers an interactive video illustrating Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law.
Ag Secretary thanks farmer veterans for service; shares info about grants
On Veterans Day this week, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding extended his thanks to Pennsylvania's more than 7,000 farmer veterans for serving their communities through agriculture after returning home from military service.
"Veterans and their families should be thanked and honored every day for their service and sacrifice," Redding said. "We recognize these heroes, and also thank the thousands of service members who come home and choose to serve their communities through agriculture.Farming is a natural fit for many veterans — it's a noble, hands-on career that feeds families and offers a sense of community. To encourage and grow veteran farming, the Wolf Administration recently announced a new farmer veteran grant program, which is open for applications."
Veterans in agriculture can now apply for grants of up to $10,000 to meet their agricultural business needs, as part of a new grant program made possible by the Wolf Administration's PA Farm Bill.
Through the PA Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture has awarded $200,000 to two veterans' service organizations which are offering the farmer-veteran grants. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded for various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and bio-security planning, to equipment, marketing, or working capital.
The application period closes Nov. 14, at 5:00 p.m. Contact Mimi Thomas-Brooker, Project Director at 724-691-1087 or pavetsfarm@gmail.com for more information.
To learn more about veterans in agriculture and the department's programs, visit the Department of Agriculture's website.
Older adults reminded about importance of immunizations, COVID-19 boosters
At a combined flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster clinic this week, the Pennsylvania Departments of Aging and Health stressed the importance of older adults getting their immunizations, particularly with the cold and influenza (flu) season approaching and the ongoing threat of COVID-19's highly transmissible variants.
"We encourage older adults to stay up to date on their immunizations, particularly the COVID-19 booster," said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. "Both the flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines are available at many locations in local communities, including pharmacies, health care providers, or clinics like this one at the West Oak Lane Senior Center. This easy access to immunizations is a great way to get both of these important vaccinations and have peace of mind as we approach colder weather."
Secretary Torres emphasized the importance for older adults, especially those with chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, to stay up to date on their vaccinations and learn which inoculations are covered by their health care insurance.
The CDC reported that it is safe to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.
"With the upcoming holidays and more gatherings indoors, we encourage eligible older adults to receive the flu and COVID-19 booster at the same time to stay safe and to keep each other protected from severe illness," said Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson.
"As a member of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, I pushed for equity in vaccine distribution across the commonwealth. Thank you to the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Aging, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for helping older adults in Northwest Philadelphia get access to the vaccine, which saves lives," said Sen. Haywood.
Gov. Wolf Announces $92.5M for affordable rental housing
Gov. Tom Wolf this week announced awards totaling more than $44.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, more than $9 million in PennHOMES funding, and more than $20 million in National Housing Trust Funds for the construction of 1,459 affordable multifamily rental units in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, this is the first year the agency is announcing awards for the new Pennsylvania housing tax credit totaling more than $19.3 million in state credits. The federal and state tax credits are administered by PHFA and were approved by its board.
"The funding we award today will have a significant impact by adding 1,459 affordable rental units once construction is completed," said Gov. Wolf. "In all communities across the state, affordable housing is in great demand, which is why the allocation of this funding is important for addressing that need."
When completed, the developments receiving funding today will preserve and create an additional 1,518 total rental units, including 1,459 for low-income Pennsylvania residents, with 123 units for people at or below 30 percent of the area median income supported by the National Housing Trust Funds.
"Tax credits are so important because they fill a void in the marketplace for the construction of affordable housing," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "Even before the pandemic there was clear demand for more rental housing that fits people's budgets. That demand is even stronger today, and this new round of tax credits, plus the additional funding, are vital for creating and rehabilitating much-needed affordable housing."
The 33 multifamily housing developments that are being awarded tax credits today can be viewed on the PHFA website at — https://www.phfa.org/mhp/.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
