Bak to school, bus safety

Students will be back in school Tuesday and with the new school year comes the return of school buses to the local roads.

Huronia West OPP is reminding drivers of the rules of the road: When a school bus is at a stop with alternating red lights flashing, drivers travelling in both directions must stop. Drivers approaching the bus from the front are required to stop at a safe distance to let children get on or off the school bus and cross the road. When approaching from behind, stop at least 20 metres away.

Do not go until the lights have stopped flashing or the bus begins to move.

As well as the upper alternating red flashing lights, school buses use a stop sign arm on the driver’s side of the bus. This arm, a standard stop sign with alternating flashing red lights at top and bottom, swings out after the upper alternating red lights begin to flash. Remain stopped until the arm folds away and all lights stop flashing.

Drivers can be charged if they pass a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing (First offence: $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points. Second offence within five years: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time (up to six months).

In Ontario, school bus drivers and other witnesses can report vehicles that have passed a school bus. The vehicle’s registered owner (even if they were not driving), can be fined.

You can report a vehicle that doesn’t stop properly for a school bus to police immediately by calling 911. Record the date and time of the incident, the vehicle’s make, model, colour, licence number, size, who was driving, the name of bus company and bus number. Huronia West OPP continues to work closely with school bus operators and their drivers to ensure the safety of the passengers.