Yes, it’s true! School is almost back in session.
Next week, after the Labour Day weekend, it’s important to remind ourselves that school will be back in session next week across BC.
With the return to school, it’s crucial to be aware of the laws regarding the passing of school buses.
Despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness, some motorists remain unaware of the penalties associated with passing a stopped school bus, endangering the safety of children in the process.
Before a school bus stops to pick up or drop off children, the bus driver is required to activate amber flashing signal lamps.
Once the bus comes to a complete stop, the bus driver must extend the stop arm and activate the red flashing signal lights before opening the door of the bus.
Whether you are approaching the bus from the front or behind, if a school bus is stopped with its stop arm and signal lights activated, all vehicles must come to a stop.
It is crucial to wait until the bus has completed the boarding or disembarking process and begins to move again before proceeding.
Penalties for violating these laws are significant in British Columbia. For a first offense of illegally passing a school bus, the penalty is a fine of $368. However, these fines increase substantially for subsequent violations.
A second offense will result in a fine of $668, and for a third offense, a motorist will face a fine of over $1,000 for that third violation alone. In addition to the fines, drivers will also accumulate three penalty points on their record.
As BC prepares for the resumption of school next week after the Labour Day weekend, let’s prioritize the safety of our children by obeying these important rules regarding school bus safety.
It’s not just a matter of law; it’s a matter of safeguarding the well-being of kids.
The hazards of ignoring these laws were made shockingly clear in the following footage:
