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Stop for School Bus!

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by chattycat, Oct 3, 2003.

  1. chattycat

    chattycat Member

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    We relocated from Fairfax, and I was just telling someone, "Yes, there is traffic out in the Broadlands, but it seems to move okay." Yikes! Now I know why! I just witnessed SIX — count them, SIX cars — pass a stopped school bus this morning that I stopped behind with its lights flashing on Waxpool road this morning. Am I ignorant of Loudoun County laws? The bus was stopped in the right hand lane. Are cars in the left hand lane allowed to continue on?? Correct me if I'm wrong.
    And two days ago, as I slowed down coming upon the red light so as not to block the intersection on Church Road, the driver behind me got irritated and whipped around in front of my and proceeded to block the intersection - obviously in a big hurry to go nowhere, since it was a red light.
    My 16-yr. old and I just sat through an hour program to get her driver's license, with a judge warning that driving is a right and not a privilege. Awful lot of adults in this area sure do feel privileged! Where's a cop when you need one[V]
     
  2. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    ChattyCat - Yes - I totally agree with you.....a lot of the drivers in this area are very rude and always seem to be in a rush to go no where. It's against the law to pass a stopped school bus, it's too bad that people are in such a hurry these days! They need to take life slower and enjoy it more! I'm a walker and it's worth my life to even cross the street, seems the drivers speed up to turn the corner. Speeding in the Ashburn area is horrible! No one pays attention to the speed limits because they know it's rare to see any radar or police enforcement. Broadlands Blvd. is becoming a speedway! I try to drive between 35-38 when I approach Broadlands and I find most people passing me going 45-50. It's sad.....these adults aren't driving as an example to their kids......once they start driving!
     
  3. chattycat

    chattycat Member

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    Thanks, Tyger. I've just lodged a complaint with the police. As is usually the case on this forum, I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to complaining but not taking action. I'm hoping the formal complaint I've lodged won't fall on deaf ears, and the police will monitor the area. It's the best I can do. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
     
  4. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    Hope you have better luck than we did. My husband has called the Sheriff's office several times.....only to be told that they're aware of the problems, but they have limited manpower.....This has always been one of our concerns living in Ashburn...there is no local police department, unlike Leesburg or Herndon or Vienna, who have their own. We rely on the Loudoun County Sheriff and it's a large county and growing by the minute...makes me wonder if they've bumped up their staffing! It's a worry!
     
  5. SarasMom

    SarasMom Member

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    I hope the bus driver got license plate info on those six cars!! Like they were going to get there *that* much quicker! Grrrr!

    The only time you can proceed is if there is a median and you're on side opposite the bus.
     
  6. chattycat

    chattycat Member

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    I've lodged a complaint and actually received a response that they will "send it out for enforcement action." Let's just hope they follow up. I know that bus driver was too involved watching the kids getting on the bus and probably didn't get license plate numbers, but I won't hesitate for a moment writing them down next time!
     
  7. JenCo

    JenCo New Member

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    This also sounds like a "Letter to the Editor" topic for the local papers.
     
  8. volvo_nut

    volvo_nut New Member

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    effective July 2002:
    Private roads and school driveways are now included in the language of the law which makes passing a stopped school bus illegal if the bus is taking on or discharging occupants.  Violators of this law will be subject to a $25 civil penalty and will be charged with reckless driving.  (House Bill 896)

    VA Law:
    Unless there is a median consisting of a physical barrier separating your vehicle from a school bus, stop for loading or unloading school buses. Drivers who pass a loading bus face a fine of up to $2,500, twelve months in jail and six points on their driving record.
    * Begin to stop when a school bus shows flashing yellow lights. This is not a signal to speed up and pass the bus before it begins loading.
    * Respect local speed limits, especially those in school zones, and reduce speed during bad weather.

    NHTSA article
    http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/Getting_to_School/article8.html
     

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