Just stop: Two Virginias drivers reminded of school bus laws

TAZEWELL, Va. (WVVA) - As children across the Virginias head back to the classroom, local law enforcement officers are reminding drivers of the strict laws surrounding school bus safety.

With school buses returning to roads and highways, police want to ensure motorists are aware of their legal obligations. In both Virginia and West Virginia, drivers in all lanes are required to come to a complete stop when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and its stop sign deployed.

“The kids are waiting for the school bus in the mornings,” said Lt. Landon Hieatt with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office. “They’re getting off to go to their parents’ in the evening. There’s parents standing on the side of the road, waiting for their child. So, it’s important to just keep people safe.”

Staying Alert for Pediatric Pedestrians

Safety officials emphasize that the areas around school buses are especially hazardous when children are loading and unloading. Even after a bus stops, drivers must remain vigilant for students who may unexpectedly step into the roadway.

“Sometimes the children get off and they just get right off the bus and they stay on the same side as the bus,” Hieatt said. “Sometimes they have to cross over the side. So, it’s important to stop because it’s to keep those children safe.”

Law enforcement agencies will be monitoring school zones and bus routes as the school year begins to ensure compliance and protect young pedestrians.