School Bus Safety Reminders For Drivers

LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 20, 2020 - School Bus Safety, Drivers Be Safe or Be Fined!

CFBS was made aware of a incident that occurred in the community of Blanc-Sablon last week where a motorist passed a stopped school bus that had its lights flashing as a young child was crossing the street to enter the bus, this resulted in the vehicle narrowly missing the child. A parent of the child obtained the license plate of the vehicle in question and reported the incident to the police, the parent also decided to press charges. According to the parent who spoke with CFBS this morning on condition of anonymity, the parent was informed by the local Sûreté du Québec police, that the motorist who is not from the region, has received a fine of $300 and has lost 9 demerit points on their license.

KNOW THE LAW, BE SAFE OR BE FINED!

(The following information is from the SAAQ) The rule is simple: Be ready to stop if you are approaching or following a school bus! 

Before stopping to take on or let off passengers, school bus drivers must signal their intention. Yellow lights will be activated, indicating that you must slow down and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.

• Yellow lights or hazard lights activated = PREPARE TO STOP
• Flashing red lights or stop sign activated = COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT LEAST 5 METERS FROM THE SCHOOL BUS

You can continue once the flashing red lights are off and the stop sign is retracted. Make sure that there are no children on the road and that the way is clear. 

PENALTIES 

Drivers = FINE FROM $200 TO $300, LOSE 9 DEMERIT POINTS
Cyclists = FINE FROM $80 TO $100

Note that you are not required to stop when you are approaching a school bus that is in another lane that is separated by a median.

Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist