Back To School: Road Safety Tips To Remember In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As Fairfax County kids headed back to school Monday, officials are reminding residents of road safety rules to remember during the school year.

School transportation adds traffic and pedestrian activity on already busy roads around the county in the mornings and afternoons. Fairfax County Public Schools typically run over 1,600 buses daily. The total student population is over 188,000, while the county as a whole has a population over 1 million.

Here are some safety tips to know on the roads:

Stop For School Buses

Vehicles must stop when school buses flash their lights and activate their stop sign to pick up or drop off students. Drivers are required to stop for school buses in both directions, unless separated by a median. In other words, traffic must stop in both directions if the road doesn't have a median separating the two directions. If there is a median, traffic on the same side of a school bus must stop. Vehicles must be stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving again.

Under Virginia law, passing a stopped school bus can lead to a fine of $250.

Watch For Kids Near Bus Stops And Other Areas

Drivers should be aware of children gathering near bus stops and walking in groups to and from bus stops. According to the Virginia DMV, drivers should be extra alert when backing out of driveways and leaving garages, driving in neighborhoods with school zones and driving in areas without sidewalks.

Be Alert For School Zones

Drivers should pay close attention to where school zones start and end. School zones typically have lower speed limits when lights are flashing. Officials recommend adding extra commuting time to account for school zone speed limits. Virginia law sets the penalty of speeding in a school crossing zone at $250 in addition to other penalties provided by law.

Be Alert For Crossing Guards

Drivers are urged to follow the direction of crossing guards who help students get to school safely. The county provides a map of school crossing guard locations.

SEE ALSO: Driver Shortage Could Prompt School Bus Delays In Fairfax County