Remember to Stop for School Buses

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With the school year is underway, please make sure to pay attention when driving and know the rules of the road when it comes to stopped school buses.  

 In Virginia, passing a stopped school bus with its flashing lights activated and stop-arm extended is illegal. Drivers must stop for a school bus approaching in any direction so that children can get on and off safely.

When encountering a school bus on the road in Virginia, drivers must:  

  • Stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop sign when approaching from any direction. This includes stopping for buses as they stop at railroad crossings; 
  • Remain stopped until everyone is clear, the flashing red lights and extended stop sign are deactivated, and the bus moves again; and 
  • Stop whenever the bus is loading or unloading passengers, even if the lights and stop sign are not activated. 
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If a school bus is on the opposite side of a median or barrier, motorists aren’t required to stop; however, drivers should be cautious and prepared for students to be in the area. 

 All Newport News Public School buses have stop-arm cameras installed to capture images of drivers and vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus. Failing to stop could result in a penalty of $250 per violation when cited through the stop-arm camera program.

 For more information on school bus safety, visit the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website.