(LONDON, ON) –The West Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding all drivers of the importance of being extra careful approaching school buses on the roadway. This warning is being issued after another school bus collision in Elgin County this morning involving a school bus and a motorcycle.
West Region OPP has investigated a significant number of school bus collisions this year and is concerned that drivers are not paying enough attention to school buses. They are painted chrome-yellow for a reason; so they can be easily identified. School buses carry our most precious cargo, children. Drivers are encouraged to always exercise extreme caution when approaching a school bus from any direction.
To date there have been 38 collisions. If we continue at this rate we are on track to hit a record high number of school bus collisions this year.
Every driver when meeting a school bus stopped on the roadway with its overhead red signal-lights flashing shall stop before meeting the bus, or stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus if approaching from behind, and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing. If you are convicted of failing to obey this law you could face a minimum fine of not less than $400 – 2,000 for a first offence and for each subsequent conviction a fine not less than $1,000 – 4,000.
Safe driving is every driver’s responsibility. Do your part.