School Busses are Back. Read this Before You Drive.

Summer vacation season is over for West Chester students and is quickly winding down for other schools.

That means school buses are now showing up everywhere, and PennDOT wants you to know the rules of the road.

Here are some important reminders about school bus laws:

Under state law, motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended must stop at least 10 feet from the bus.

Failing to do so can earn drivers a $250 fine, five points on their license and a 60-day suspension.

It's not necessary to stop if the school bus is on the other side of a median or a barrier on a divided highway.

In a school zone, vehicles must obey a 15 mph speed limit and keep an eye out for pedestrians. Breaking this rule can lead to a fine and three points on a driver's license.

Read the full PennDOT release here. For an animated illustration of where and when to stop, visit drivesafepa.org.

The PennDOT website also offers detailed, graphic illustrations of who must stop for school busses and specifics of the school bus law.