School Bus Rules, Regulations and Safety Tips
The Labour Day Weekend traditionally heralds the end of summer and a return to school. Uxbridge has a large rural population and busing to school on a daily basis is a way of life for many of our children. There are over 800,000 children throughout Ontario that will be riding a school bus to school.
Here are a few points to remember regarding school bus safety and the highway traffic act regarding school buses.
Local police forces are expected to be paying particular attention to infractions related to; the passing of school buses, school speed zones, crosswalks and school crossings with a zero tolerance for those ignoring the law.
IT'S THE LAW
- All vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when approaching a school bus with its upper red lights flashing. (the only exception is on a divided highway separated by a median if you are approaching the school bus from the opposite direction)
- Penalties For Not Stopping First offence $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points
- Each subsequent Offence $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time up to six months.
Safety Tips
Parents and educators are urged to review school bus safety with their children and charges that can be found on the MTO site at School Bus Safety Smarts.
Another source is Transport Canada's web site
Here are a few driving tips as reminders.
- Stay back 20 metres from a school bus when the lights are flashing.
- When the school bus lights are flashing traffic you must stop in both directions, even on a highway, except when there is a permanent median in the road
- School Zones - Many schools have driving school zones where the speed limit is 40 km/hour, and the police will be targeting those areas.
- Crossing Guards will be out. Be prepared to stop
Remember to watch out for the little ones who in their excitement of the first few days back to school may forget some of the safety rules.
END OF SUMMER
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