Believe it or not, school’s back in session.
With that, now’s the time for a friendly reminder to be aware of the laws regarding the passing of school buses.
Despite many years of efforts to raise awareness on the subject, some BC motorists remain unaware of the penalties associated with passing a stopped school bus—which can endanger the safety of children in the process.
Here’s how it works:
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 offence of illegally passing a school bus, the penalty is a fine of $368. However, these fines increase substantially for subsequent violations.
A second offence will result in a fine of $668, and for a third offence, 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 schools fall back into session this week, it’s important to prioritize the safety of our children by adhering to these 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 are made shockingly clear in the following footage:
VicPD also posted several reminders on the return of back-to-school, including bus safety, school zone speeds, and more:
