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Police Warn Passing Stopped School Buses Puts Students at Serious Risk

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 spe...