Bonnyville RCMP asks motorist to continue being mindful of stopped school buses

Lakeland motorist are doing a great job of being mindful of stopped school buses says the Bonnyville RCMP.

Children of the Lakeland are our future, so far this year, no tickets have been issued to motorist for passing a school bus while it’s stopped with its flashing lights on.

Sgt. Sarah Parke is the Detachment Commander for the Bonnyville RCMP.

“The fine for Passing a School Bus with Alternating Flashing Red Lamps is $486,” Sgt. Parke told Lakeland Connect.

Reporting Drivers Who Don’t Stop

You can report a vehicle that doesn’t stop properly for a school bus to the Bonnyville RCMP immediately by calling 911.

You can also go into the nearest detachment to file a complaint.

The police will ask you:

1. 1. The date and time of the incident.
   2. The vehicle’s make, model, colour and licence number.
   3. Who was driving?
   4. Was the bus a “chrome yellow” school bus with the words “School Bus” at both the front and rear of the bus?
   5. Was it a small or a large school bus?
   6. Was the school bus stopped?
   7. Were the upper red lights of the school bus flashing and/or stop arm activated while it was stopped?
   8. Were there passengers boarding or leaving the school bus?
   9. Did the vehicle pass the school bus from behind or was it coming toward the bus in the opposite lane?

On the heels of the recent freezing rain weather the Bonnyville RCMP would still like to remind motorists to slow down especially when a school bus is stopped letting passengers on or off.

“It’s more important to give yourself extra time to get where you’re going than to travel too fast for the road conditions,” Sgt. Parke said. “If everyone else around you seems to be moving slower, it’s likely that you are moving too fast.”

School bus travel is very safe in Ontario. Injuries and fatalities, which are very rare, happen more often outside the school bus as students are boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the street.

Parents and drivers although being mindful of stopped buses helps keep your children safe you should still have a talk about bus safety with them.

When you board or leave a bus

• Be at the bus stop before the bus comes.
• Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road – don’t play in ditches or on snow banks.
• Stay out of the DANGER ZONE. If you can touch the bus, you’re too close. Use ten giants steps to take you out of the DANGER ZONE, and make sure you and the bus driver can see each other.
• Always cross the road in front of the bus, never behind.
• Look all ways and wait for the driver to signal before you cross in front of a bus.
• Walk at least ten big steps from the front of the bus.
• Enter or exit the bus in single file. Never push or shove.
• Walk – never run – across the road.
• NEVER stop to pick up anything that you may have dropped in the DANGER ZONE. Ask an adult or the bus driver to help.

While on the bus

• Find a seat right away. Stay seated, facing forward at all times.
• Don’t put things in the aisle.
• Never distract the bus driver. Always follow his or her instructions.
• Don’t eat or drink.
• Don’t yell, push people or throw things.
• Keep your arms and head inside the bus.

The children of the Lakeland are our future, let’s all do our part to keep them safe.