(MANITOULIN, ON) Members of the Manitoulin OPP Detachment remind motorists that students will be back in school on Wednesday, September 4, 2013. With the return of students to classes, school buses will also be highly visible on area roadways. School bus safety and safe driving habits need to remain top of mind with the motoring public, parents, caregivers, students, crossing guards and bus operators as the school year begins.
Motorists are reminded to keep a safe distance away from a stopped school bus with the red overhead lights flashing and stop arm extended. When following a school bus, Ontario law requires vehicles to stop 20 meters behind the bus. When meeting a school bus in oncoming traffic, vehicles must stop far enough away to allow students to cross well ahead of the bus bumper. Vehicles must remain stopped in both directions until the school bus stop arm has been folded in again, and the overhead red lights have stopped flashing.
Drivers who fail to comply with this law face stiff financial penalties of between $400.00 to $2,000.00 and 6 demerit points. Subsequent offences can cost a driver anywhere from $1,000.00 to $4,000.00 in fines plus possible imprisonment. This law also includes that vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus.
Manitoulin OPP Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Kevin Webb, says “One of my top priorities is making sure all students travelling to and from school is safe on our highways. Manitoulin detachment members will be on the roads and highways to ensure that motorists keep school bus safety in mind as the new school year begins.â€Â
For more information about school bus safety go to the Ministry of Transportation website at: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/schoolbus/smarts.shtml