It's been 15 years since Pierre Ranger's little brother Adam was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop for a school bus with its lights flashing.
"In the beginning it basically tore the family apart," Ranger told BayToday, "It put our lives upside down. But we're firm believers that if something bad happens something good must come of it. It took a while but we believe that this (campaign) is the good that is coming from Adam's death."
And so Pierre is joining with the OPP to remind drivers to be more alert while driving when school buses are out.
See the website http://letsrememberadam.org/
Police say incidents of cars not stopping have spiked recently.
"An analysis done by our North Bay detachment has provided clear indication that, statistically in the last five years we've seen an increase in the number of complaints for vehicles failing to stop for flashing school bus lights in the months of October and May," says OPP inspector Mary Shannon. "So for the next two weeks we will focus on educating the public and enforcement where needed."
Shannon isn't sure why complaints spike in October.
"We do a great job at the start of the school year reminding people to make sure they are observing school buses. I don't know, maybe people become complacent after that first month of school."
Failing to stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal lights flashing can result in a fine from $400 to $2,000 and have six demerit points added to your licence for a first offence.
In Ontario, school-bus drivers and other witnesses can report vehicles that have illegally passed a school bus. If you are the vehicle’s registered owner, these same fines may be applied to you.
