The V.I. Police Department is urging motorists to exercise heightened caution around school buses and student pedestrians, stressing that violations of school bus safety laws place children at serious risk.
In an urgent notice issued Friday, the VIPD Office of Highway Safety reminded drivers that students’ road navigation and safety skills are still developing, making strict compliance with traffic laws essential during school hours and bus routes.
Under Virgin Islands law, it is illegal to pass a school bus in either direction when the bus has activated flashing signal lights or an extended stop arm. These signals indicate that students are loading or unloading, and any vehicle movement at that time can be life-threatening.
“Our children’s road navigation and safety skills are still developing,” said Office of Highway Safety Director Daphne O’Neal. “Motorists must take responsibility for their safety, adhere to traffic laws and give them the right of way. This includes reducing speeds around young pedestrians and stopping to allow children to cross the street safely, with or without a crosswalk in place.”
Police emphasized that the warning applies territory-wide and includes all situations involving school buses, school zones, and student pedestrians. Drivers are reminded that school bus stop laws are designed to protect children during their most vulnerable moments—while entering and exiting buses.
The Office of Highway Safety continues to stress that increased awareness and compliance by motorists is critical to preventing injuries and fatalities involving school-aged children.
For additional information, residents may contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety directly by phone or email.
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