It’s time to think about school bus safety

OPP News Release

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“It’s time to think about school bus safety” is the message from the officers of North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment. In Ontario, more than 800,000 children travel on school buses. Every young passenger’s life is worth protecting.

Ontario law requires drivers to stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. Whether you are travelling on a city street, a highway or country road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. (The only exception: on highways separated by a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop). Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move. Violators can face fines of up to $2,000 and six demerit points. As of September 2005, the legislation states that the registered owner of vehicles can be charged. This change in legislation makes it easier for bus drivers to accurately report to police vehicles that do not follow the passing legislation.

A few safety tips for parents – Your child’s school bus safety can be improved by following a few simple steps. We urge parents to talk to their children about school bus rules. Remind them to wait for the school bus in a safe place, away from traffic and the street. Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter. When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus, out of the danger zone. Be aware of the traffic around you. Even though drivers are required to follow certain rules not all of them do. “Be alert and protect yourself!”

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