School buses will be on the move

After the long Labor Day weekend, drivers in Prince William County need to be on the watch for the 800 Prince William County school buses rolling through neighborhoods and along streets. An estimated 61,000, of 81,000 students, ride school buses during the school year.

“By law, motorists must stop when a school bus is stopped with its red lights blinking and stop sign extended, except when the bus is on the opposite side of a median strip,” according to a school statement.

Even if the lights aren’t blinking, drivers must stop for loading and unloading school children.

Edward Bishop, director of Transportation Services for Prince William County Public Schools, said he encourages “all motorists to review and obey the laws concerning school bus safety. To those thousands of citizens who know and obey these laws, I ask for your continued support in the coming school year.”

School buses start running as early as 6 a.m. to pick up high school students for their classes; and run until after 4 p.m. to drop off elementary school students.