Right-thinking people of Pennsylvania have to be wondering whether the study associated with obtaining a driver’s license in this state has begun being regarded as something that doesn’t really matter — that the information presented is part of a lame exercise worthy of being forgotten quickly.

Does Pennsylvania really have so many drivers who don’t know what blinking red lights on a school bus mean?

Then there’s the obvious follow-up question: Does Pennsylvania really have so many drivers ignorant of the potential costs associated with the illegal practice — in human life and financially — that they have no qualms about opting for that illegal practice just to get to where they’re going a few minutes sooner?

Will toughening the penalties really have their intended effect or will it take automatic revocation of driving privileges to “wake up” some drivers to the need to obey the state law aimed at protecting “working” school buses and the children they’re serving?

Right-thinking residents of this state really have to wonder whether any penalty, no matter how harsh, is capable of achieving the full compliance that is warranted regarding the important responsibility in question.

All considered, apparently not, but continuing to try to achieve that full compliance must continue to be an important priority.

Therefore, what is happening in the Pennsylvania General Assembly on that front should be welcomed, not criticized for shifting attention from other important state business.

The old adage about children being the most important resource always will be true.

What’s happening in Harrisburg is this: The state Senate has passed proposed legislation that would increase the penalties for flouting the state’s stopped school bus law and increase the required stopping distance for motorists following or approaching stopped buses.

“By strengthening penalties and tightening safety requirements, we are sending a clear message that reckless driving around school buses will not be tolerated,” said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, the prime sponsor of the measure in question, Senate Bill 65.

The bill, passed unanimously by the state government’s upper chamber, moves now to the House of Representatives, where it likewise deserves unanimous backing.

There are plenty of incidents that can be characterized as horror stories that justify that total support. It even is reasonable to ask whether the changes that the measure, if approved, would implement are tough enough.

For example, the legislation increases the fine for first offenses, currently $250, to between $250 and $500, giving judges leeway, depending on the severity of the incident. However, a mandatory, well-publicized $1,000 first-offense fine likely would open more eyes and cause many more drivers not to make such an illegal maneuver.

Meanwhile, the legislation under consideration, regarding a second or subsequent conviction, would “award” a driver five points on his or her driver’s license plus a 60-day license suspension. Additionally, there would be a fine of at least $500 plus a $35 fee to be paid to the School Bus Safety Grant program.

Repeat violators also would be required to attend driver safety training.

Rather than $500, the lowest fine possible for a repeat offender should be at least $1,000.

Pennsylvania should strive to be — and always remain — the toughest state in dealing with such irresponsible drivers. The word “leniency” has no place in addressing this problem.