Drivers violate school bus laws

Dufferin OPP are investigating two complaints of vehicles not stopping for school buses with their flashing lights activated. 

In one incident, a cement truck passed a school bus on shoulder with bus emergency lights flashing, and in another, a large flat-bed commercial vehicle passed the school bus on the right again with its lights flashing.

Dufferin OPP say they travel school bus routes every day looking for aggressive driving and drivers who fail to stop for the red flashing lights of the school bus.

When there is no median, motorists travelling in both directions, must stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal lights flashing. Drivers are not to proceed until the lights on the school bus have stopped flashing. The stop arm is not required to be extended.

Vehicle owners can also be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, regardless of who is driving the vehicle at the time.

Bicycles (which are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act) are also subject to the same laws as motor vehicles, so they must also stop for the red overhead signals of a school bus.

Penalties include fines from $400 to $4,000, up to six months in jail and six demerit points upon conviction for drivers.

The next time you are driving and see a school bus, give it space, ease off the gas, and remember that it could stop at any time.