Chris Wagoner’s son was almost struck by an oncoming vehicle when he was boarding his school bus in Barnesville.

While the boy wasn’t injured, Wagoner fears that someone will be seriously hurt when a driver fails to stop for a school bus.

“At least twice a week, we some sort of a vehicle blow the signs, including semis, cars and SUVs,” he said.

Wagoner recently took his concerns to local and state police, and just law week, law enforcers nabbed offenders.

He also began circulating a petition that asks for stricter penalties for those who fail to follow state law by passing stopped buses.

Wagoner’s petition is online but he plans to present it at local school district and municipal meetings.

“It’s just been a repetitive thing that has been happening and other parents are finally fed up with,” he said.

Wagoner has witnessed offenders at his children’s a bus stop near St. Richard’s Church on busy Route 54. He’s seen it happening elsewhere, he said.

Another Mahanoy Area school bus picks up children at the former Barnesville Post Office near the intersection of Route 54 and Grier Avenue in Rush Township.

Late last week, he saw an eastbound vehicle pass that bus even though its red lights were flashing and its stop bar was extended.

“The bus driver also laid on the horn but the car driver didn’t care,” Wagoner said. “At the time the (Ryan Township police) officer was half a block away watching, and sure enough was able to stop him.”

An officer from Rush Township was also in the area and assisted in pulling over the driver, he said.

The driver received a citation.

Wagoner said local and state police share his concerns. But with only so many officers and limited budgets, he said, there’s only so much that law enforcement can do.

“I felt if maybe we start a petition and make some noise at schools, bus stations, school boards, we can get something done,” he said.

Wagoner wants a stricter Pennsylvania School Bus Stopping Law.

According to information supplied by Trooper Ethan Brownback, the law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm activated. This includes motorists who are behind, traveling alongside or approaching a bus.

Those who violate the law face a $250 fine and a $35 surcharge, Brownback noted. Surcharges are deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account, which will be used to promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training.

In his petition, Wagoner encourages lawmakers to consider increasing penalties.

“The existing penalties do not adequately deter this dangerous behavior, which jeopardizes the lives of children,” he wrote in the petition. “Passing a stopped school bus with activated red lights can have catastrophic consequences, including severe injury or death. Stronger action is necessary to protect our children and ensure their safety during their commute to and from school.”

He asks for higher fines, license suspensions and vehicle impoundments.

“This would send a clear message that such reckless actions are unacceptable,” Wagoner wrote in the petition.

He’s hoping to collect at least 100 signatures on the petition, and when he does, he will turn it over to state lawmakers.