Pittsburgh Public Schools and Bus Patrol cite 8% drop in bus-passing citations, urge drivers to stop for red lights

Pittsburgh Public Schools officials and representatives from Bus Patrol told reporters at a morning event that citations for drivers who pass stopped school buses fell 8% in the last school year and urged motorists to stop when a bus’s amber or red lights activate.

A Pittsburgh Public Schools official opened the event by calling the briefing a “report card” intended to increase transparency about risks students face getting on and off buses and to highlight the district’s commitment to student safety. The official said the goal of the program “is not to issue citations. The purpose is to change behavior.” The official closed with a simple rule: “If you're driving and you see the red lights on a school bus, and you're not sure whether you should stop, just stop.”

Officer Kenny, a Pittsburgh Public School Police officer, described the police role in reviewing reported violations and emphasized that the program focuses on prevention and fairness. He warned drivers that, under state law, a violation can occur before the bus arm is fully extended: “Once they activate the red lights and the bus arm starts to deploy, the violation has already occurred if you drove by. So, most people think once the arm is already extended, that that's when the violation occur. It occurs before that. As the arm is opening, if you drive past the arm, the violation already has occurred.” Officer Kenny said the review process aims to ensure accountability and accuracy while supporting compliance.

Rick Bird, vice president of government operations and safety at Bus Patrol, framed the 8% decline as evidence the education-and-enforcement approach is working. “We're proud to announce … an 8% decrease in the number of citations that were issued in this last school year,” Bird said, and encouraged attendees to tour a living bus exhibit at the event. Bird also cited program-level results, saying nine out of 10 drivers who receive a citation do not receive a second, and urged community members to advocate for safer behavior around buses.

Bird referenced a national call to action by the Governors Highway Safety Association, Bus Patrol and Safe Kids Worldwide that lists 69 recommendations communities can adopt. He invited media and attendees to walk through a nine-section exhibit at the venue intended to show different community roles in bus safety.

The district and Bus Patrol said copies of the report card would be made available to media and that speakers would be available for follow-up questions. The event concluded with an invitation to tour the bus exhibit on site.