NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment Commander Inspector Tyler Sturgeon wants to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe 2023 - 2024 school year. Motorists should be extra attentive and prepared to stop for school buses from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additionally, please watch for school students walking to and from schools and bus stops.
Since 2022, new amber-yellow lights will flash as the school bus approaches a stop which will serve as a warning to drivers that the bus will soon stop. Once the bus comes to a complete stop, the red lights will flash and the stop arm will be extended which signals to drivers in both directions that they MUST stop.
Drivers are reminded that failing to stop when meeting or overtaking a school bus is dangerous and could have dire consequences. When driving on a road without a median:
- drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing and stop arm out
- 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
- when following a school bus, stop 20 meters behind the bus
- don't move forward until the red lights have stopped flashing or the bus begins to move
Drivers and vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus. Fines range from $490 to $2000 plus six demerit points for a first offence and from $1000 to $4000, six demerit points and possible jail time up to six months for each subsequent offence.
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