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Panel clarifies law on passing stopped school buses when median has a gap
Summary
HB409, sponsored by the chair, clarifies that drivers may proceed on divided highways with a median gap when a school bus has stopped with lights deployed; the subcommittee reported the bill 7–0 after one online supporter referenced federal NHTSA research.
Chair Delegate David Reed presented House Bill 409 as a clarification to existing school-bus passing rules. The sponsor said the bill makes explicit that drivers on a divided highway may proceed when there is a gap in the median rather than treating every divided highway approach as requiring a stop.
An online commenter who identified himself as Grama supported the bill and pointed the committee to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on state laws regarding school-bus passing. The commenter said some states do not require a stop on multi-lane divided roads and suggested Virginia could consider broader changes in future sessions.
With no in-room opposition, the subcommittee reported HB409 favorably by voice/roll call, 7–0. The measure advances to the full Transportation Committee for consideration and any amendments.
The transcript records the bill’s intent to reduce driver confusion at medians and to reduce inconsistent citations, but it does not include modified statutory text or an analysis of enforcement consequences such as citation language or potential training for law enforcement.
