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HB 409

Passing a stopped school bus; divided highways, access roads, and certain driveways.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Reid

Virginia law now allows drivers to pass stopped school buses on divided highways, access roads, and specific driveways, expanding prior safety exceptions while maintaining core protections.

Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
0
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Bill Summary · HB 409

Legislative bill overview

HB 409 modifies Virginia's school bus stopping laws by creating exceptions that allow drivers to pass a stopped school bus under specific circumstances: on divided highways, access roads, and certain driveways. Previously, Virginia law required all drivers to stop when a school bus's red lights were activated, with limited exceptions. This bill expands those exceptions to reduce traffic disruptions in particular road configurations.

Why is this important

School bus safety is a critical public concern, as children's lives depend on proper traffic enforcement around buses. However, traffic flow on divided highways and private access roads differs substantially from residential streets, making blanket stopping requirements potentially problematic in those contexts. This bill attempts to balance child safety with practical traffic management, though the specific definitions and enforcement mechanisms will significantly impact real-world outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety versus convenience trade-off: Critics may argue that any exception weakens protections for children boarding/exiting buses, while supporters contend divided highways and certain driveways present fundamentally different safety scenarios where opposite-direction traffic poses minimal risk to students.
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language around "access roads" and "certain driveways" may be vague, potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement or driver confusion about when the exception applies.
  • Enforcement challenges: Police and drivers may struggle to quickly determine whether a particular road meets the exception criteria, creating liability and safety gaps in real-time situations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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