Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) yesterday said they have noticed an increase in drivers ignoring school buses with the stop arm activated.
We have seen an increase in calls about drivers passing school buses that are stopped with lights flashing and stop arm activated. Please know and follow the rules so we can keep our children safe!” said a DRPS tweet.
A statement said all drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its stop arm activated and red lights flashing.
It warned drivers not to move forward or attempt to pass the bus until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer activated.
The statement said if there is a hard median between lanes, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop.
Fines
Drivers can be charged if they pass a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing and/or stop arm activated:
- First offence: $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points;
- Each following offence: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time (up to six months); and
- Vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, even if they weren’t driving.