School buses hit the road tomorrow
The start of the school year means drivers need to be extra vigilant to watch out for school buses on the road and students walking to school.
Classes begin tomorrow, Aug. 21.
Drivers are reminded that it’s never okay to pass a school bus, speed through a school zone, or ignore a crossing guard’s direction.
Drivers must stop when encountering a school bus in either direction with flashing red lights unless the bus is separated by a median. It is considered reckless driving – a criminal offense – if you pass a stopped school bus when it’s unloading children.
Fairfax County Public Schools runs more than 1,600 buses daily.
Speed cameras were installed this spring in eight school zones, including Sleepy Hollow Road in front of Sleepy Hollow Elementary School.
The cameras are only active when the school zone is in effect. Drivers who exceed the speed limit by 10 mph or more will be fined. Fines are based on an escalating fee structure that maxes out at $100.
Related story: Supervisors approve speed cameras
The Fairfax County Police Department invites families to participate in “Walk, Bike, Ride to School Safety Day” on Aug. 21.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to walk or bike along with their children to reinforce the importance of safe transportation practices.
The FCPD recommends parents take the following steps to promote safety on the way to school:
- Plan ahead by familiarizing yourself with your child’s route to school. Identify safe crossing points, well-lit areas, and designated bike lanes.
- Encourage your child to walk with friends or neighbors whenever possible.
- Consider forming a walking or biking group within your neighborhood. This can create a sense of community and ensure safety in numbers.
- Teach your child the importance of using crosswalks and obeying traffic signals.
- If your child bikes to school, make sure they always wear a properly fitted helmet and know the rules of the road, such as using hand signals to indicate turns and obeying traffic laws.
- Dress your child in bright or reflective clothing, especially during early morning hours or in low-light conditions.
I’m begging all the parents, guardians, and older siblings reading this to teach your young ones to stop, listen, and look both ways whenever crossing a street! I cannot tell you how long it’s been since I’ve seen ANYONE do that–even parents walking with their children step off the curb as if no one else is there. Parking lots, crosswalks, neighborhood streets…no one looks. Do you really want their lives to depend on each and every driver who might cross their path?
Do it wherever, whenever, every single time. TEACH THEM.
Thank you.
Absolutely. I used to work at an elementary school and I would see families do this all the time. Thankfully it was not a busy street but many schools are and require pedestrians to focus 100% of the time!
I totally agree Kim.
The issue is, it is not that way anymore.
What if they are children or adults.
Very seldom do I see pedestrians look before they step off a curb.
If it is on a main intersection or in a parking lot.
Individuals have their phones out in front of them or up to their ears.
Extremely uncomfortable when you are driving a car.
Parents do not hold their children’s hands either outside or inside stores; just let them run.