*SCHOOL BUS SAFETY: Fairfax County Public Schools bus drivers and Fairfax County
police officers met recently and discussed an apparent rise in illegal passing of school buses.
“Professional bus drivers with years of experience told us they’re seeing record numbers of
motorists driving recklessly around buses picking up and discharging students,” said First
Lieutenant Butch Gamble, Assistant Commander of the Traffic Safety Division. With over 1,500
school buses on the roads of Fairfax County transporting more than 110,000 students each day,
police and school officials express deep concern over perceived increase in dangerous driving
behaviors near buses. Police officers have issued over 1,700 summonses to motorists illegally
passing buses over the past five years. “For even one child to be injured because a motorist is
disregarding traffic laws is inexcusable,” said FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale. “In the past
year, we have had four students hit by motorists while on their way to school. In one instance, a
child was crossing the street in a crosswalk when he was hit. I urge all motorists to exercise
extreme caution when driving near school buses and bus stops.”
Motorists are reminded that there are serious consequences and penalties for failure to stop
properly for school buses including reckless driving charges with a potential of jail time, fines
and points against one’s driving record. Fairfax County school buses transport more students
every day than any school system in the United States with the exception of New York City.
Increased awareness for both students and motorists is paramount to keeping children safe.
Parents are encouraged to remind their children how to get to and from their buses safely.
Drivers should also be reminded of laws regarding school bus stops;
www.fcps.edu/fts/tran/safety/stopforbus.htm.
*SCHOOL BUS SAFETY: Fairfax County Public Schools bus drivers and Fairfax County police officers met recently and discussed an apparent rise in illegal passing of school buses. “Professional bus drivers with years of experience told us they’re seeing record numbers of motorists driving recklessly around buses picking up and discharging students,” said First Lieutenant Butch Gamble, Assistant Commander of the Traffic Safety Division. With over 1,500 school buses on the roads of Fairfax County transporting more than 110,000 students each day, police and school officials express deep concern over perceived increase in dangerous driving behaviors near buses. Police officers have issued over 1,700 summonses to motorists illegally passing buses over the past five years. “For even one child to be injured because a motorist is disregarding traffic laws is inexcusable,” said FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale. “In the past year, we have had four students hit by motorists while on their way to school. In one instance, a child was crossing the street in a crosswalk when he was hit. I urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving near school buses and bus stops.” Motorists are reminded that there are serious consequences and penalties for failure to stop properly for school buses including reckless driving charges with a potential of jail time, fines and points against one’s driving record. Fairfax County school buses transport more students every day than any school system in the United States with the exception of New York City. Increased awareness for both students and motorists is paramount to keeping children safe. Parents are encouraged to remind their children how to get to and from their buses safely. Drivers should also be reminded of laws regarding school bus stops; www.fcps.edu/fts/tran/safety/stopforbus.htm.
