Stop Means Stop: Don’t Bus(t) a Move Around School Buses

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Fairfax County, VA – When those red lights flash and the stop sign swings out, there’s only one right move: stop. As students settle back into school across Fairfax County, our officers are zeroed in on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses; a reckless driving offense in Virginia. It’s not just dangerous, it’s against the law.

What the Law Says (Plain and Simple)

If a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing to load or unload children, drivers in both directions must stop.

The only exception is if you’re traveling the opposite direction and there’s a positive median barrier physically separating your lane from the bus (think concrete barrier or guardrail, not just paint). If there’s no physical barrier, you must stop. No rolling through, no “just this once.”

Why It Matters

Children are unpredictable. They may cross between cars, drop something, or run to catch a bus. Illegally passing a stopped school bus turns a routine stop into a life-threatening situation. We’re not leaving that to chance.

Enforcement You’ll See

With school back in session, we are increasing enforcement near bus stops, school zones, and common cut-throughs. One of our Traffic Division’s primary safety focuses for September is school zone enforcement, ensuring drivers slow down and follow the rules where children are most vulnerable. Officers are also watching for drivers who:

  • Pass stopped school buses with red lights activated,
  • Speed through school zones,
  • Ignore crossing guards or fail to yield to pedestrians.

Road Shark, our ongoing traffic safety initiative, is a key part of this effort. It combines data-informed deployments, education, and enforcement to protect our most vulnerable road users, especially children on their way to and from school.

Recent Enforcement Highlights

Quick Driver Reminders

  • Red means stop. Every lane, every time. Only proceed when the bus turns off its red lights and retracts the stop sign.
  • Opposite lanes? You may continue only if a physical barrier divides the roadway. A painted centerline or turn lane does not count. When in doubt, stop anyway.
  • Slow is smart. Reduce speed in school zones and watch for kids crossing mid-block or late to the stop.

Our Commitment

Fairfax County Police take traffic safety and the safety of our children very seriously. We’ll continue targeted enforcement, public education, and community partnerships to keep our school routes safe. If you see dangerous driving behavior around buses or schools, call it in. Together, we can make sure every student gets where they’re going safely.

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