CRANBERRY TWP — Stop for stopped school buses.

That's what law enforcement agencies across Butler County and officials have to say to motorists.

Police and representatives from the state Department of Transportation gathered in the township Thursday for a conference on school bus safety and driving laws. Officials said they have seen a slight increase in bus violations in the past year, although statistics were not available.

“We need to get the information out so that people are more aware and more responsive,” said township police Sgt. William Ahlgren. “We have a lot of traffic out here and it's all about the safety of the kids.”

According to state law, when a school bus has its red lights on and stop arm extended to pick up or drop off students, other drivers must stop on either side of the road, including four-lane highways such as Route 19.

The only exception is if there is a physical barrier dividing the highway.

Drivers in cross traffic must also stop if they meet stopped buses at intersections.

Drivers must remain stopped until the school bus's red lights go out and the stop arm is withdrawn.

Penalties for violating the law include a $250 fine, a 60-day driver's license suspension and five points on the driver's driving record.

Officials said reasons given for violations include drivers being unaware of the law or being inattentive to their surroundings.

“People get confused over the law as far as going on a four-lane road like Route 19,” said Jackson Township Police Chief Terry Seilhamer. “If there is no physical dividing barrier, they have to stop. They just think if there's an open space there, they don't have to stop.”

Butler State Police trooper Dan Kesten said increased housing developments in the county may be a contributing factor in the increase in bus law violations.

“It could be one of the reasons,” Kesten said.

He also said parents could help monitor children entering and exiting buses during stops.

PennDOT spokesman Deborah Casadei said a “rash” of incidents has occurred in Adams Township since the school year started.

“It's a high-volume corridor,” Casadei said. “And the reason for that is Route 228.

“We want people to understand the law. We don't want any injuries, deaths or anything else,” she said.

A demonstration on school buses' use of red lights and the stop arm was given by Jerry Campbell, owner of Campbell Bus Lines in Slippery Rock.

Campbell, who has been driving buses for about 50 years, said he has “heard them all” when it comes to reasons why some drivers violate bus safety laws. “'I didn't know the law.' 'I didn't know you were supposed to stop.' 'I was late.'

“It (school bus) is transporting the most valuable cargo in the world,” said Campbell. “It doesn't happen often, but if it's once, it's too often.”

He said, however, stiffer penalties may not be the answer to solving the issue.

“I think they're stiff enough now,” Campbell said. “People just need to be more aware of school buses. I think education should take care of it.”