As another school year begins, it’s important to review Maryland laws and school bus safety tips. Violations of Maryland laws in school zones can incur a $250 fine if caught on camera and up to $570 and a three-point penalty on a driver’s license if stopped by a police officer.
Remain alert while driving and minimize distractions.
Allow extra time to avoid having to drive in a hurry.
Remember that children can move in unexpected ways and may not know where to look to avoid traffic especially when they are running late to catch a bus.
Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus driver is preparing to stop.
Key Maryland laws and safety reminders for school zones:
Stopping for School Buses (TR § 21–706): Drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, on both sides of the road unless separated by a physical median. Obey posted school zone speed limits, which are typically reduced during school hours or when lights are flashing.
Crosswalks and Pedestrian Right-of-Way (TR § 21–502): Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. It is illegal to pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Yielding to Crossing Guards (TR § 21–107): Obey the commands of authorized school crossing guards. Failure to comply can result in fines and points on your license.
Reviewing school bus safety with children is also critical. The 10-foot area around a school bus is known as the “danger zone.” Children should never cross behind a bus and should avoid standing within the danger zone because it is difficult for the driver to see them within that area.
Custodial Arrests
8/11/26, a male, age 20, was arrested for assault and reckless endangerment in the 400 Blk. N. Horners Lane.
8/12/26, a male, age 31, was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant at the Rockville City Police Station.
8/13/26, a male, age 29, was arrested for shoplifting in the 1500 Blk. Rockville Pike.
8/14/26, a male, age 22, was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant at the Rockville City Police Station.
8/16/26, a male, age 33, was arrested on two outstanding bench warrants at the Rockville City Police Station.
8/17/26, a female, age 42, was arrested for active Montgomery County Police warrant in the 400 Blk. King Farm Boulevard.
Incidents
500 Blk. Azalea Drive, an unknown subject defrauded the victim of personal funds between 6/12/26 and 7/20/26. Incident reported on 8/11/26.
100 Blk. Monroe Street an unknown subject defrauded the victim of personal funds between 7/28/26 and 8/11/26.
13200 Blk. Atlantic Avenue, an unknown subject stole merchandise from a business at 4:33 p.m. on 8/11/26.
400 Blk. Reading Avenue, an unknown subject stole loose change from an unsecured vehicle at 2:30 a.m. on 8/11/26.
Unit Blk. Research Court, a known male assaulted the victim following a verbal altercation and vandalized a vehicle at 5:28 a.m. on 8/12/26. Charges are forthcoming.
800 Blk. Twinbrook Parkway, an unknown subject used the victim’s identity and stole personal funds between 7/16/26 and 8/12/26.
400 Blk. Robena Way, an unknown subject attempted to gain entry into multiple vehicles, ultimately entering an unsecured vehicle, but nothing was reported stolen at 2:03 p.m. on 8/12/26.
1000 Blk. Westmore Avenue, three unknown subjects burglarized a business through an unsecured door, damaged property, and stole merchandise between 2:20 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. on 8/12/26.
Unit Blk. Letchworth Circle, an unknown subject entered an unsecured vehicle and stole personal property overnight on 8/11/26. Incident reported on 8/12/26.
1700 Blk. Yale Place, an unknown male subject stole a blue 18-inch Huffy bicycle from the front porch of a residence at 7:00 p.m. on 8/12/26.
100 Blk. Gibbs Street, an unknown subject broke the front passenger window of a vehicle and stole personal property between 7:00 p.m. and 11:31 p.m. on 8/13/26.
1100 Blk. Rockville Pike, an unknown subject attempted to enter multiple vehicles at approx. 2:54 a.m. on 8/14/26.
15900 Blk. Frederick Road, a known female assaulted the victim after a verbal altercation at 12:10 p.m. on 8/14/26. Referred for charges.
400 Blk. Deer Meadow Lane, an unknown male assaulted the victim between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on 8/13/26. The subject was described as: a white male, approx. 50’s – 60’s, with gray and black hair and a beard, wearing a grey shirt and skinny blue jeans.
800 Blk. Rockville Pike, two subjects were involved in a mutual assault after a verbal altercation at 5:45 p.m. on 8/14/26. The parties were referred for charges.
400 Blk. N. Horners Lane, two subjects engaged in a mutual assault at 8:10 p.m. on 8/14/26. The parties were referred for charges.
100 Blk. E. Montgomery Avenue, a known male assaulted the victim after a verbal altercation at approx. 6:18 p.m. on 8/16/26. Charges are forethcoming.
2000 Blk. Veirs Mill Road, an unknown male pointed a handgun at the victim after a road rage incident at 4:31 p.m. on 8/16/26.
400 Blk. Winding Rose Drive, an unknown subject stole cash from an unsecured vehicle at 2:52 a.m. on 8/16/26.
1200 Blk. Veirs Mill Road, two known subjects stole power tools from the victim while residing at a residence between 7/1/26 and 8/14/26.
1800 Blk. Rockville, an unknown male stole merchandise from a business at 3:50 p.m. on 8/17/26.
