Regarding the article “Start of school year comes with new offerings from districts across the Alle-Kiski Valley” (Sept. 1, TribLIVE): Act 38 should be repealed. This law modified the stop-arm camera law for illegally passing school buses. It assumes a vehicle’s owner was driving and takes away all the person’s rights. It will also allow multiple entities to reap profits, which will act as an incentive to make sure the tickets keep flowing.
The goal should be to preventing illegal school bus passing, not trying to rake in revenue without trying to correct a potential problem. . Where is a requirement for a minimum flashing yellow duration? How about mandating stop-arm extenders to block the next lane? Making bus stops only on the right side of the bus to prevent crossing the roads? Adults to cross the kids, as some areas do? Moving bus stops to smaller roads and away from intersections?
If a flashing yellow is too short, what is the incentive to fix it? Same for moving bus stops to more suitable locations. In some places, you might not see a bus, might not be able to safely stop or not know if you must stop. What happens if you are already near the bus when the lights change to flashing reds? Are split-second violations issued? Also, people might end up slamming on the brakes or flooring it, if they think they could get tickets. This could create an unsafe situation.
James Sikorski Jr.
Wapwallopen
The writer is Pennsylvania advocate for the National Motorists Association.