School Bus Safety Program

Through the program, we have equipped every bus in our district’s fleet with advanced safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm cameras. These cameras detect when a vehicle breaks the law and illegally passes a stopped school bus.

By using automated enforcement, Prince George County Police Department can monitor every school bus stop and hold drivers accountable for violating the law and putting students at risk. Over time, the program helps change driver behavior, reduce illegal passings, and ensure children get to and from school safely every day.

As outlined in the graphic above, when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended, the stop-arm camera captures footage of the violation. From there, the footage is securely sent to law enforcement for review to confirm if a violation occurred. If law enforcement confirms the violation, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner. Data shows that 90% of first-time violators do not illegally pass a bus again, making roads safer for students. 

The school bus safety program combines education and enforcement to change motorist behavior and promote a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses.

Throughout the program, we will partner with the Prince George County Police Department and BusPatrol to remind motorists of school bus stopping laws and to provide safety tips for students when getting on and off the bus. The education and awareness campaign will include: 

• Press outreach
• A digital campaign with social media and web content
• Distribution of educational flyers and fact sheets on school bus safety
• In-classroom student education

This ongoing education and awareness campaign will continue throughout the school year to keep the community informed and help ensure safer roads for everyone.

Virginia law allows school divisions to use video cameras on school buses to help enforce laws about stopping for buses. Schools can partner with private vendors to install and operate these cameras. If a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, a penalty can be mailed to the vehicle owner. The owner can dispute the violation and will have at least 30 business days to review the evidence.

For more details, you can review the law here.

In Virginia, drivers must stop for a stopped school bus when it’s red lights are flashing and the stop sign if extended, or whenever the bus is loading or unloading passengers. You should bring your vehicle to a complete stop and remain stopped until everyone is clear, and the bus moves again. 

• On a two-lane highway: All vehicles must stop.
• On a four-lane highway with a center turn lane: All vehicles must stop.
• On a four-lane highway with a median or barrier: Only vehicles behind the bus need to stop. Traffic in the opposite direction may proceed with caution.

For more information on school bus safety laws, refer to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

In Virginia, the fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus is $250. If the violation is detected through a stop-arm camera, it is considered a civil penalty, with no points added to the driver's license.

The notice is issued with a link to the AlertBus Driver Education Portal to view the evidence. Data from BusPatrol programs shows that over 90% of first-time offenders do not pass a bus a second time after seeing the evidence. 

Instructions for payment are included on your notice of violation. You can pay online with a credit card at AlertBus where you'll need to enter your citation and license plate numbers.

To pay by phone, call 1-877-504-7080 and follow the automated prompts. Have your citation number and credit/debit card ready. This option is for full payments only.

If paying by check or money order, make it payable to School Bus Stop Arm Safety Program. Mail the payment form (located at the bottom of your citation) along with your payment to: School Bus Stop Arm Safety Program, P.O. Box 411472, Boston, MA 02241-1472

If you have misplaced your notice of violation, please contact the AlertBus support center at 877-504-7080. They will be able to issue a replacement citation and provide further assistance.

If you weren’t the driver at the time of the violation, you can submit a signed and notarized affidavit stating that you were not operating the vehicle. Be sure to include the Citation Number, your name, and address in the affidavit. The document must be notarized by a Virginia Notary. Mail the signed affidavit to School Bus Stop Arm Safety Program, P.O. Box 06002, Bloomfield, CT 06002 before the due date listed on your citation. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay the citation in full, please contact the AlertBus support center at 877-504-7080. They can assist you in arranging a payment plan to help manage the cost of the violation.