With schools around Fairfax County starting up next week, this is your reminder to pay extra-special attention on the roads and look out for kids.
Fairfax County Public Schools are back in session starting Monday, Aug. 18, meaning roads around the region will once again feature over 1,600 school buses loading and unloading students.
“With more than a million residents, our roads are normally busy, but school buses add an extra layer of vehicles, while school zones and crossing guards are looking out for the safety of our children,” Fairfax County said in a recent news release. “There are more than 180,000 FCPS students and 200+ schools in Fairfax County. While it may be tempting if you’re in a hurry, it is never OK to pass a school bus, speed through a school zone or ignore a crossing guard’s direction.”
The county noted that passing a stopped school bus unloading children is considered reckless driving and is a criminal offense. The county school buses also now have cameras that capture drivers who fail to stop when the arm is extended.
“Drivers who illegally pass school buses that are loading and unloading children will be recorded and issued a $250 citation by mail,” the website said.
For the start of the school year, the Herndon Police Department is conducting a new campaign called Operation Safe School Zones through Sept. 5, intensifying the presence of officers for a “zero-tolerance approach to traffic violations within a 1.5-mile radius of school zones.”
Additionally, new speed cameras will be active around the county, with some starting to issue fines on Monday. Citations come with fines of up to $100 for drivers who exceed the 25-mph speed limit in school zones.
The following schools will have cameras issuing fines starting Monday:
- Cardinal Forest Elementary School: Forrester Blvd in West Springfield
- Mount Vernon High School and Riverside Elementary School: Old Mount Vernon Road
- Belvedere Elementary School: Columbia Road in Annandale
Meanwhile, these schools will introduce speed cameras with a 30-day warning before fines take effect on Sept. 17:
- Chantilly High School: Stringfellow Road
- Edison High School: Franconia Road in Rose Hill
- South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School and Terraset Elementary School: South Lakes Drive in Reston
- Marshall High School: Leesburg Pike in Idylwood
- McLean High School: Westmoreland Street
- Robinson Secondary School and Oak View Elementary School: Sideburn Road in Kings Park West
- Stone Middle School: Braddock Road in Centreville
“The camera is only active when a school zone’s yellow lights are flashing, and fines are issued for going 10 miles or above the speed limit,” Supervisor Walter Alcorn said of the South Lakes High School camera in his newsletter. “While the speed limit is normally 40 mph on South Lakes Drive near the high school, the limit drops to 25 mph when the school zone lights are flashing (between 7 to 8:25 a.m. and 2 to 3:25 p.m.)”
The Fairfax County Police Department also shared some safety tips for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists:
School Bus Safety
- Stop for school buses with flashing lights and extended stop arms in both directions unless a median separates you.
- Stay 10-feet away from the bus on all sides to avoid blind spots.
School Zone Road Safety
- Slow down and follow school zone speed limits.
- Watch for children at crosswalks and bus stops.
- Avoid blocking intersections or crosswalks.
- Stay off your phone and focus on the road.
Pedestrian Safety
- Walk with an adult when possible.
- Use sidewalks (or face traffic if there’s no sidewalk).
- Wear bright colors to be seen.
Bicycle and Scooter Safety
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bike, scooter, or e-scooter.
- More children ages 5–14 visit the hospital for bike-related injuries than any other sport many involving severe head injuries.
- Helmet use is required by law for youth under the age of 15, but it should be worn by everyone, regardless of age.
- Ride on sidewalks when possible; follow traffic laws if riding on the road.
- Make sure bikes and scooters are in good working condition, especially brakes and lights.
- Wear bright or reflective gear for increased visibility, especially during early morning or evening hours.
For children, wearing a helmet is not only the easiest way to prevent injury, it’s the law!
