Because school opening and closing times are staggered, one school bus can be used for four different schools. Included in the school bus fleet are specially equipped buses for transporting students who have physical and mental handicaps. The drivers of those vehicles receive special training. Buses transporting handicapped students have driver assistants and are equipped with 2-way radios for use in an emergency. When school is in session, motorists should be especially alert and aware of state laws regarding sharing the road with school buses.
State law requires motorists to stop when encountering a school bus loading or unloading passengers.
At intersections, all drivers must come to a complete stop for a stopped school bus with red lights flashing. Under the law, motorists are required to stop even when approaching a school bus at right angles. On undivided highways or streets, all vehicles traveling in any direction are required to stop and remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus is again in motion. On divided highways or streets, all vehicles in all lanes traveling the same direction as the bus must come to a complete stop, but those traveling in the opposite direction and separated either by a physical barrier or an unpaved area may proceed without stopping. Virginia Beach school bus drivers are encouraged to report violations of state school bus safety regulations.