Members of the Sudbury Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are urging drivers, children and parents to think ?safety? as school begins next week.
In Ontario, 800,000 children travel on school buses every day. Although school bus travel is one of the safest methods of transportation, safety practices need to remain a top priority. Ontario law requires motorists stopping behind a school bus with red flashing lights to stop 20 metres behind the bus. When meeting a school bus in oncoming traffic with red flashing lights, drivers must stop far enough away to allow students to cross the road well ahead of the bus bumper. It is important to remain stopped until the school bus stop arm has been folded in again and the overhead lights have stopped flashing. Failure to abide by these laws could result in a fine of $500.
Most injuries occur outside the school bus, as students are entering, exiting or crossing the street.
Staff Sgt. Garry Mills says, ?Back to school should be a time of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming year. One moment of inattention by a driver could result in tragedy.?
