DRIVERS are at risk of a $250 fine as a new passing law has officially come into force.
Motorists were previously given a warning during a grace period but now they will face an instant citation under this new road rule.
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This new law targets drivers who pass school buses on the road, and you won’t even see a cop during the process.
Police launched the crackdown to keep children safe as they enter and exit buses.
Cameras have been installed on 50 public school buses to enforce the new law.
These are used to capture photos of drivers who pass buses illegally.
And now the warning period has passed, any driver who passes a school bus that’s picking-up or dropping-off students will receive a $250 citation.
This rule applies to all motorists in Fairfax County, Virginia who ignore the stop-arm signals on a school bus.
These are extended when a bus stops to warn drivers that children are getting on or off the bus.
First announced in March, the county gave drivers a 30-day grace period, but as of May 12, citations are now being issued.
CBS affiliate WTOP reported on a statement from the county, which revealed that last week’s violations are still being processed.
The county went on to say that preliminary data shows the program is averaging 76 warnings per day.
When a school bus comes to a complete stop and the stop-arm is deployed, the camera automatically detects vehicles that pass within the enforcement zone.
Footage is recorded of the vehicle, its license plate, and the extended arm.
These images are reviewed by law enforcement before a Notice of Infraction is issued.
The county also said the program may be expanded as the school system and police evaluate “the administrative process and effectiveness of the technology”.
In nearby D.C., the fine amount for the same infraction is double that of Fairfax County, at $500.
Laws on Passing a School Bus
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), it’s illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus when it is stopped, the red strobe lights are flashing, and the stop sign is deployed.
“All States require the traffic in both directions to stop on undivided highways when students are getting on or off a school bus,” the agency’s website reads.
Florida launched a program in May 2024 that will cite drivers illegally passing stopped school buses with the help of AI-powered cameras to capture footage of violators, citing an important law.
In Florida, Chapter 316 Title 19 reads:
- Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this state shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn. A person who violates this section commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.
- Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle that passes a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in Chapter 318, and is subject to a mandatory hearing under the provisions of s. 318.19
Source: NHSTA, Florida Legislature
Stop-arm cameras first appeared on public school buses in neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland, in 2016 after a two-year pilot program.
Other D.C.-area school systems have school buses equipped with cameras for automated enforcement, including Arlington County and Virginia’s Falls Church City.
Charles, Prince George’s, Washington and Frederick counties in Maryland also have several school buses with the same technology.
Speaking to FOX5, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said: “This is an effort I began almost 10 years ago, after seeing some data and hearing from some of our school bus drivers.
“Back in 2017, they told me that it was not uncommon for them to record, you know, 1,400 instances in a single day of people passing school buses.
“That’s in just one day. So, we’ve been working on this for the better part of 10 years.”
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