Provincial police are stressing the importance of stopping for school buses after a 75-year-old St. Clair Township resident was charged during a safety initiative.
Lambton OPP said the driver was stopped on March 3, shortly before 3 p.m., for allegedly failing to stop for a bus that had its red lights activated.
Passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights can result in a hefty fine, ranging from $400 to $2,000. The illegal maneuver can also result in six demerit points for a first offence.
West Region OPP launched a "safety stops here" initiative on March 2, focusing on drivers who don't prioritize the safety of children around school buses.
Lambton OPP said the enforcement blitz will run until Monday, March 9.
"At Lambton OPP, student safety is a top priority. The OPP School Bus Safety Initiative reinforces our commitment to protecting children as they travel to and from school each day," said Lambton OPP Interim Detachment Commander, Inspector Ross Stuart. "We are asking motorists in Lambton County to remain alert, respect school bus signals, and remember that keeping our roads safe is a shared responsibility."
Meanwhile, other OPP detachments, including Grey Bruce, will be running the school bus safety initiative until March 13.
The two-week safety campaign was fueled by several school bus-related collisions reported in multiple communities over the past 30 days, read a Brant OPP Instagram post.
"While some incidents resulted in minor injuries, the increasing frequency highlights a serious and growing concern for student safety," read the post.
Drivers are being reminded of the following:
- Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, so drivers in both directions must slow down.
- Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate the bus has stopped and drivers in both directions must also stop. The only exception is when a physical median divides the roadway, in which case, vehicles travelling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.
- Slow down and be cautious when travelling through school zones or areas where children are present.
