Police are reminding drivers across southwestern Ontario that school bus safety starts with responsible driving.
The Ontario Provincial Police says officers across its West Region are taking part in a two-week traffic safety campaign aimed at protecting students travelling to and from school.
Running until March 13, the “Safety Stops Here” initiative focuses on drivers who fail to stop for school buses and other dangerous behaviour around them.
That was Constable Andrew Gamble.
School buses remain one of the safest forms of transportation for students, but police emphasize that safety relies heavily on the actions of drivers sharing the road.
During the campaign, officers will be watching for motorists who fail to stop when a school bus activates its flashing lights and extends its stop arm.
Additional enforcement will target risky driving behaviour near school buses, including speeding, aggressive driving, following too closely, and unsafe passing.
Gamble say the campaign is designed not only to enforce traffic laws but also to increase public awareness about the importance of school bus safety.
Drivers are reminded that when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, traffic must stop until the lights stop flashing and the arm is retracted.
If you fail to do so, not only are you putting children’s safety at risk, but it could cost you.
“Safety Stops Here” is part of the OPP’s broader effort to reduce collisions, strengthen driver awareness, and ensure students arrive at school — and back home — safely.