Fairfax County, Va. –– Fairfax County officials are concerned more and more drivers are illegally passing school buses.
Police in the county have noticed an increase in summonses issued – 1,700 in the past five years – and say drivers are behaving dangerously near school buses.
“For even one child to be injured because a motorist is disregarding traffic laws is inexcusable,” said Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Jack D. Dale in a statement. “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.”
Fairfax County transports 110,000 students to and from school each day on 1,500 school buses.
The school system is second only to New York City in transporting a large number of students, according to Fairfax officials.
Passing a stopped school bus could bring with it reckless driving charges with potential jail time, fines and points on a driver’s record.
