Virginia State Police Urge Drivers to Stop for School Buses and Students

With two recent school bus-related crashes in Virginia, troopers remind motorists to watch for children and follow state laws during National School Bus Safety Week, October 19–23.

Virginia State Police are reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert, and stop for school buses when required as schools across the Commonwealth prepare to observe National School Bus Safety Week, October 19–23.

This year’s theme, “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes,” highlights the role drivers, parents, and students all play in keeping children safe on their way to and from school.

The reminder comes after two recent crashes in Southwest Virginia involving school buses, including one in which a child was injured after getting off a bus.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fewer than one percent of all traffic fatalities involve children riding in school transportation vehicles. However, children face added dangers when approaching or leaving a school bus, especially when motorists fail to recognize stopped buses or respond safely.

Recent Crashes Highlight the Dangers

On October 7, 2026, a juvenile getting off a school bus along Route 23 in Scott County was struck by a dump truck that had swerved to avoid the bus.

The child suffered injuries in the crash. Virginia State Police charged the dump truck driver, Myron L. Mcamis, 64, of Chuckey, Tennessee, with reckless driving.

Just five days later, on October 12, another school bus-related crash occurred along Route 460 in Tazewell County.

A school bus had stopped to let children off when a Subaru Outback traveling behind it also stopped. A Subaru Legacy then struck the Outback from behind, pushing it into the school bus.

The driver of the Legacy, Leslie A. Varney, 31, of North Tazewell, Virginia, was charged with reckless driving.

The two incidents remind us that school bus safety involves more than the buses themselves. Drivers approaching school buses must remain alert, anticipate stops, and allow enough distance to react safely.

When Virginia Law Requires Drivers to Stop

Virginia law requires motorists traveling in either direction to stop when a school bus is stopped to pick up or discharge passengers.

Under Virginia Code § 46.2-859, drivers must stop for school buses loading or unloading students and remain stopped until it is safe and lawful to proceed.

One important exception applies: Motorists traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway are not required to stop for a school bus on the other side of the physical separation.

For example, drivers approaching a stopped school bus on a regular two-lane road must stop, regardless of direction.

The same requirement generally applies on multi-lane roads when no physical divider separates opposing traffic.

However, when a highway has a physical median or barrier dividing the directions of travel, motorists on the opposite side are not required to stop.

Drivers traveling behind a stopped school bus must still stop, even on a divided highway.

Failing to stop for a school bus when required is considered reckless driving under Virginia law and can result in serious penalties.

Parents and Students Also Play a Role

While drivers carry much of the responsibility for keeping school bus stops safe, parents and students can also help prevent accidents.

The NHTSA encourages families to regularly discuss school bus safety, especially with younger children who may not recognize traffic dangers.

Children should avoid running, pushing, or playing near the bus stop. They should also stay a safe distance from the roadway while waiting for the bus.

Students should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver signals that it is safe before approaching to board.

When getting off, children should never rush into the roadway. If they must cross the street, they should cross in front of the bus where the driver can see them, after checking for traffic and following the driver’s instructions.

Parents are also encouraged to remind children that motorists do not always obey school bus stopping laws. Even when a bus activates its warning lights, students should remain alert for approaching vehicles.

Every Driver Can Help Keep Children Safe

National School Bus Safety Week is observed each October to promote safer student transportation and raise awareness of the dangers surrounding school buses.

Virginia State Police are using this year’s observance to remind motorists that a few moments of patience can make a difference.

School buses make frequent stops along residential streets, rural highways, and busy roads throughout Virginia. Drivers should expect children near bus stops, especially during morning pickup and afternoon drop-off.

Motorists should avoid distractions, maintain a safe following distance, and be prepared to stop whenever a school bus is loading or unloading passengers.

This year’s theme is simple: Keeping students safe is a shared responsibility, and every driver has an opportunity to help.

Additional school bus safety information is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.