HARRISBURG, Pa. — Lawmakers here are considering a bill that would allow school transportation vehicles that are smaller than school buses to be equipped with flashing and revolving yellow lights.

House Bill 364 would amend a section of state statute to permit — but not require — school vehicles other than school buses to be equipped with “permanently affixed or removable” yellow flashing or revolving lights. The bill states that the lights can only be activated when the driver of the vehicle is preparing to stop or has stopped the vehicle to load and unload students.

Current law doesn't authorize the vehicles to display visual signals, WCED News reports.

Rep. Matt Gabler, who authored the bill, told the news source that “it’s easy for drivers to see school buses yet accidentally overlook vans and minivans carrying ‘cargo’ that is just as precious.” He added that the lights would “make these vehicles more noticeable to oncoming motorists,” especially during inclement weather or while traveling during dawn or dusk, particularly on rural roadways.

The bill has passed the House Transportation Committee and is being reviewed by the Senate Transportation Committee.

About the author
Nicole Schlosser

Nicole Schlosser

Former Executive Editor

Nicole was an editor and writer for School Bus Fleet. She previously worked as an editor and writer for Metro Magazine, School Bus Fleet's sister publication.

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