The law about passing school buses is sometimes ignored these days, so much so that the Fairfax County school bus fleet recorded 1,453 violations in one day. The bus drivers try waving their arms or looking at the license plate, but more had to be done for students’ safety. This month, FCPS launched the "School Bus Arm Camera Program," to boost safety.
The camera is mounted on the stop-arm that comes out of the side of the bus when students are getting on or off the bus. When the bus stops, the arm comes out and the camera detects vehicles that pass the bus on the side.
The camera will get the license plate and the violators will get a ticket in the mail, similar to the speed cameras that have been used for years.
“Our new stop arm camera initiative will remind motorists of their responsibility to drive responsibly and keep students safe," said School Board Chair Karl Frisch, in their press release.
Starting April 9, 50 Fairfax County school buses will be outfitted with the cameras across the county but for the first month, there will just be warnings sent out. May 12 the county will start fining each driver $250 for these violations. It's not all automatic though. Violation videos and license plate images are reviewed by law enforcement for approval before a warning or Notice of Infraction is issued, FCPS said.
Comments online seemed to vary. Some are against the one-month grace period that comes with the new camera rule, others are pointing out instances where the buses are speeding while others are happy with the cameras.
"Glad to see this as no one hardly ever stops on Guinea Rd in the mornings for the school bus," said one Burke area driver.
Despite some drivers passing against a flashing light, school buses are still a safe route to school, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Between 2013-2022, 111 occupants were killed in school transportation vehicles, and 50 were drivers and 61 were passengers. More than 20 million school students ride school buses.
"However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus,” NHTSA said.