$250 Fines Begin For School Bus Camera Program In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Cameras on 50 of the Fairfax County Public Schools buses are starting to issue $250 fines for passing a stopped school bus as of Monday.

Fairfax County's school bus arm program involves cameras that record violations of passing a school bus stopped for picking up or dropping off students. A warning period began on April 9, and full enforcement with the citations started Monday. There are 50 school buses with the cameras installed, but the county did not identify which locations.

In Virginia, the law requires drivers to stop for any stopped school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign until everyone is clear and the bus moves again. Drivers should also stop when buses are loading or unloading passengers, even when lights and stop signs are not activated. Drivers do not need to stop if they are on the other side of a divided roadway from the school bus with a physical barrier.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that children face the greatest risk for school bus-related injuries when getting on or leaving the bus. Virginia law allows for a $250 civil penalty for school bus passing violations. Localities are permitted to install video-monitoring systems on school buses run by the school division to record violations.

Citations with the $250 fine are sent in the mail to the vehicle owner. According to the county, the school bus arm technology automatically detects vehicles that pass in the enforcement zone. The cameras capture video of the vehicle and images showing the license plate and the extended stop sign activated on the bus. Law enforcement will review the footage to confirm a violation occurred before a citation is issued. The camera-recorded citations do not result in points on the driver's license or insurance impacts.

Fairfax County also has a speed camera program in select school zones. Virginia law allows localities to install speed cameras to enforce speeding violations in school zones when school light signs are flashing as well as eligible highway work zones.

The county may expand the school bus arm program in the future as Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County Police evaluate the school bus arm technology.

SEE ALSO: When Do You Stop For A School Bus? Know The Law In Virginia