School Bus Passing Citations To Launch After Warning Period In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Passing a school bus stopped for picking up or dropping off students will soon result in a citation in the mail.

Fairfax County announced its school bus arm enforcement program will launch after a warning period. There will be 50 cameras initially installed on Fairfax County school buses. According to the county, the cameras will identify vehicles not following the stop sign activation on school buses when students are getting off or on buses. The program is aimed to improve student safety from the risk posed from vehicles passing stopped school buses.

"I am proud to lead this initiative, as the safety and wellbeing of our residents—especially our children—are of the utmost importance," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay. "This program’s goal is not to generate revenue. The goal is to change driver behavior and prevent the dangerous act of passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing while children are loading or unloading."

In Virginia, it is a violation of the law to not stop for a marked school bus stopped for children, older adults or people with disabilities until the roadway is clear and the bus is traveling again. A violation can lead to a $250 civil penalty. Localities are permitted to install video-monitoring systems on school buses run by the school division to record violations.

A month-long warning period will begin to give drivers time to learn the stopping for a school bus rules. Warning citations will be issued by cameras on 50 school buses starting on April 9. After the warning period ends, citations with a $250 fine will be issued starting on May 12. Citations will be sent in the mail.

The county did not identify which school buses the cameras will be installed on. 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 school bus arm program joins a speed camera program in select Fairfax County 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.

"We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents," said FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid in a message to families.