Police Conduct 2025 Back-to-School Transportation Safety Campaign

Published on August 18, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington Public Schools will welcome students back into their classrooms on Monday, August 25, 2025 which means there will soon be an increase in children walking, bicycling and riding the bus to schools throughout Arlington. Transportation safety is a group effort; it takes all of us working together and following the rules of the road to keep our community safe. The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) will conduct a coordinated high-visibility transportation safety campaign in and around school zones to ensure the trip to class is as safe as possible. 

As a reminder, the county remains committed to safety in school zones and the PhotoSPEED school zone speed safety cameras will be operational during the 2025-26 school year.

Variable message boards will be placed along roadways in Arlington to raise awareness about the start of the school year and to share important safety messaging. With a little awareness and prevention, all travelers can arrive at their destinations in a timely and safe manner.

Vision Zero Advancements to Protect Students and Other Travelers

The County continues to implement safety treatments in school zones across Arlington as part of the Vision Zero safety program. This summer/fall, the Tactical Speed Humps pilot is being expanded to seven additional sites around schools thanks to the safety benefits expressed by community members and significant reductions in speeding recorded along corridors found during the pilot.  

The seven additional sites for the third round of tactical speed humps are listed below. As of July 2025, three locations have had tactical speed humps installed with four more scheduled to be added in the coming months. 

Installed: 

• Campbell Elementary School: 7th Road S.  

• Tuckahoe Elementary School: N. Trinidad Street  

• Washington-Liberty High School: 15th Street N.  

• Nottingham Elementary School: N. Ohio Street 

Coming Soon: 

• Randolph Elementary School: 16th Street S. 

• Discovery Elementary School/Williamsburg Middle School: N. Kensington Street 

• Arlington Science Focus Elementary School: N. Lincoln Street 

The Division of Transportation has been working on additional projects in preparation for 2025 Back to School. Improvements include adding one traffic signal, installing seven quick-build safety projects in or near school zones, incorporating all-way stop signs at two school zone intersections, improving crossing signage at four school crossings, reducing speed limits on two major school corridors, adding new pavement markings around 26 school zones, and preparing two High-Injury Safety Audits on school zone corridors.   

Vision Zero is also centering its monthly Critical Crash Mitigation campaign on back to school safety with the theme of Give Students a Brake! The campaign reminds all road users that school slow zones, which encompass neighborhood streets around schools, are signed as 20 mph roads all day, every day, year-round. It warns drivers to watch out for student traffic in school zones and slow down for everyone’s safety.  

Transportation Safety Tips

Drivers are reminded to:

• Obey posted speed limits which may change during school zone times.
• Avoid distracted driving and keep your attention on the road.
  • Holding a hand-held communication device while driving is illegal in Virginia. Violations could result in a fine of up to $125 for a first offense.
• Watch for students walking and riding bikes to school.
• Do not pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading passengers.
  • On a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
  • On a multi-lane paved road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
  • On a divided highway, vehicles behind the bus must stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction may proceed with caution.
  • When approaching from any direction at a 4-way intersection, vehicles must stop for school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign.
• Have all vehicle occupants wear their seatbelts.
• Pick-up and drop-off students in designated locations.

Pedestrians are reminded to:

• Cross the street at marked crosswalks and never against a red light.
• Look before you cross and follow the direction of school crossing guards and/or Arlington Public Schools staff members.
• Always walk on designated sidewalks or paths, never along the side of a road.

Bicyclists are reminded to:

• Wear your helmet.
  • Helmets are required for riders ages 14 and younger but are recommended for all.
• Keep right and ride with traffic.
• Secure your bicycle with a lock when not in use.

General Safety Tips

Back-to-school is an opportune time to remind students about important ways to help keep them safe while out in the community. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to role-play possible situations with students and discuss personal safety and awareness tips.

Ensure students:

• Know their address, telephone number and how to contact a parent or guardian.
• Carry a photo ID.
• Remain aware of their surroundings.
• Walk or bike with another person, whenever possible. Stay in well-lit areas.
• Limit the use of devices that may distract them.
• Avoid engaging with or answering questions from strangers.
• Immediately report anything that makes them feel unsafe to a trusted adult.