The Fairfax County school bus passing law is set to take effect soon, and drivers only have a few days left to adjust before facing hefty fines. Starting April 9, anyone caught making a common but risky maneuver—passing a stopped school bus—could be subject to a warning and, later, a steep ticket.
This new regulation focuses on protecting children who are getting on or off school buses. To support enforcement, 50 public school buses will be equipped with cameras that capture images of vehicles that unlawfully pass when the stop sign is out. These photos will help authorities identify violators by their license plates.
While drivers will only receive warnings during the first 30 days, beginning May 12, violators of the Fairfax County school bus passing law will be fined $250 per offense.
Fairfax County school bus passing law aims to protect kids
Local officials say this move is long overdue. Jeff McKay, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, shared with FOX5 that this effort began nearly a decade ago after alarming reports from bus drivers. Back in 2017 alone, drivers recorded up to 1,400 violations in a single day of vehicles illegally passing school buses.
“This has been a long journey, but a necessary one,” McKay said. “The data made it clear—we had to act.”
Fairfax County school bus passing law starts April 9
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid explained that while only 50 buses are involved at the start, the goal is to expand the program across their 1,600-bus fleet. “We’re working out the kinks now, but we’re committed to scaling this up,” she said.
Though some residents feel the fine is steep, many support the initiative. Local resident Michael Curry remarked, “I’m all for anything that keeps our kids safe. If it makes people more cautious, then it’s worth it.”
Revenue from the fines will be reinvested into the program to install more cameras across the county’s school bus fleet, further supporting the goals of the Fairfax County school bus passing law.
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Source: www.inquisitr.com
