Too many drivers fail to stop for the school bus

Many drivers choose to drive through the red flashing lights of a stopped school bus. It is against the law to do so and it puts the children’s lives at risk.

“Every day in Anglophone East School District (Moncton, NB), approximately five red light violations are reposted by school bus drivers. In the run of a school year, this dangerous situation plays out more than 900 times and it needs to stop.” -Aubrey Kirkpatrick, director of finance and administration of Anglophone East School District

Drivers – Know the rules

· Drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing

· When you approach the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance to let children get on or off the bus and cross the road

· Don’t move forward until the red lights have stopped flashing or the bus begins to move

“As a bus driver, it is very hard to understand why some drivers can’t sometimes see a big yellow school bus, with a stop sign and all these flashing red lights and they just run through the red lights, it is very unsafe,” says Charles Riordon, bus driver for the district.

Strict fine

Every time a driver dismissed these lights, they are creating a dangerous potential tragedy. In New Brunswick, passing a stopped school bus with the red lights being displayed can result in a fine of $1,006.50 plus the loss of 4 points. As a driver, please respect the rules and be especially careful during school hours.

If you witness a vehicle that fail to stop for a school bus, you can report them by calling 911 or going to the nearest police station. They will need simple information such as identifying the driver (male or female), the make, model and colour of the vehicle. Try to get the license plate number if you can.

Cantini Law|Droit practices exclusively in Motor Vehicle Accidents and Long Term Disability claims. We are Atlantic Canada’s injury lawyers with offices in Charlottetown, Halifax, Moncton, and Saint John. Contact us at 1-800-606-2529.

Source – Times & Transcript