Police will begin two initiatives this week with a goal of keeping young people safe.
State Police at the Butler barracks will begin what they are calling “Operation Safe Stop” in an effort to stop drivers from passing school buses. Officers will be placed at select school bus routes where it’s been found that drivers are passing buses.
Police say that across Pennsylvania and the nation, stopped school buses- with red lights flashing and stop arms extended- are being passed on both the left and right sides as they are loading and unloading students.
“Each illegal pass of a stopped school bus is potentially a life-threatening situation for the 1.5 million students transported to and from school daily in Pennsylvania,” according to a press release from the Pennsylvania State Police.
In Grove City, police will focus on seat belt enforcement, especially for teen drivers and their passengers. Officers will be canvassing school campuses, youth events and on select roadways looking for anyone in a vehicle who is not wearing a seat belt.
Police will cite drivers of vehicles with any occupants under the age of 18 who aren’t wearing seat belts.
“Driving comes with great responsibility. Teen drivers are not only responsible for themselves but also making sure passengers in their vehicles are buckled up. State law requires anyone under 18 to be buckled up,” according to the Grove City Police Department.