Passing a School Bus: Cameras Will Now Catch Some Violators in Virginia

Next week, the Commonwealth's roads will be filled with yellow school buses shuttling kids back to school. Drivers need to know there are some new rules of the road this year when it comes to drivers who pass school buses unlawfully.

While the number of actual crashes caused by this violation is low, the potential for injury or death is high, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. For years, school bus drivers have been aware of, and have complained about, motorists illegally passing their school buses, according to the NHTSA.

It's the law in Virginia that if you're approaching a stopped school bus that is flashing its red lights, you can't pass it, even if the bus driver hasn't extended the stop sign yet. If there is a median between you and the bus, you are allowed to pass the stopped school bus.

What should you do when you see a bus stop? You should slow down when approaching a school bus that is flashing its yellow warning lights (a telltale sign the bus is preparing to load or unload passengers). You should stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus with its stop-arm extended and wait for the stop- arm to retract and the red lights to stop flashing before moving your vehicle.

New this year: Smile for the camera

New in Northern Virginia this year (the new law went into effect July 1): The use of cameras (mounted on buses) in some jurisdictions to catch violators who pass school buses, similar to cameras that capture those who run red lights at intersections.

Not all localities in the Commonwealth have buses equipped with the cameras. Here are the ones that do in Northern Virginia: Arlington County, Fairfax County and City of Falls Church.

Here's how it works: If you pass a school bus, a camera will take your picture. Police will review the image and if they find you violated the law, you'll receive a ticket with a $250 fine. The owner of the vehicle can refute the ticket if they were not behind the wheel; instructions on how vehicle owners are to proceed in this case are provided with the citation.

Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) patroned the bill that would allow localities with authorized video-monitoring systems on school buses to send summons through certified mail to violators who unlawfully passed a stopped school bus.

Previously, the law required summons to be delivered to alleged violators in person. The Senate Transportation Committee included Favola’s bill and Sen. Wexton’s bill (D-Leesburg) in SB 120, patroned by Sen. Carrico (R-Grayson). Carrico is chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. The consolidated bill was reported out unanimously.

“I applaud the Senate Transportation Committee for recognizing that localities need to be able to notify individuals by certified mail, since delivering summons in person represents an unnecessary use of taxpayers’ dollars and is not very effective in reaching the alleged violators," Favola said at the time. "This is a step forward in making government more effective and efficient.”

PHOTO: Bus #4, Falls Church City Public Schools; photo courtesy of FCCPS