School Bus Safety Week - Keeping Ontario Kids Safe
Riding on a school bus in Ontario is safer than ever, thanks to tough laws, improved safety features and dedicated drivers.
The week from October 18-22 marks School Bus Safety Week, and drivers are reminded to do their part by driving safely and responsibly around school buses.
Following these safety tips will help drivers keep children safe:
Always stop when approaching a school bus with its upper red lights flashing
Slow down in school zones and watch for children
Do not obstruct school bus loading zones
Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and school crossings
The government has also put into place mandatory safety features for new buses such as crossing arms, better side mirrors and more emergency exit windows.
Quick Facts:
A Transport Canada survey found one in three Canadian school bus drivers see at least one vehicle illegally pass a stopped school bus every day.
Drivers who fail to stop for the school bus face fines up to $2,000 and six demerit points on their driving record for a first offence, and fines up to $4000 with six demerit points and possible jail time for subsequent offences.
Every day, about 800,000 children ride school buses in Ontario.
About 70 per cent of school-vehicle related deaths happen while students are crossing the street to get on or off the bus.
