Two drivers handed $368 fines for passing stopped school bus in Saanich

The return to school came with an expensive lesson for two drivers in Saanich this week.

Saanich Police say two motorists were each handed a $368 ticket Wednesday morning after passing a school bus while its stop sign was extended and its red lights were flashing.

Under BC law, drivers approaching a stopped school bus from either direction must stop before reaching it.

They cannot continue until the bus begins moving again or its driver signals that it is safe to proceed. Failing to stop also results in three penalty points.

The tickets were issued as students across Greater Victoria settled into their first full week back in the classroom.

Saanich Police officers joined volunteers, ICBC representatives and members of the Capital Regional District’s Integrated Road Safety Unit outside Marigold Elementary and Spectrum Community School on Wednesday morning.

The teams were there to remind motorists that school-zone speed limits are back in effect and to encourage drivers to slow down around students.

Unless signs indicate otherwise, the speed limit in BC school zones is 30 km/h from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on regular school days. Playground zones have a 30 km/h limit from dawn until dusk every day.

Speeding through a school zone can result in a fine ranging from $196 to $253, along with three penalty points.

ICBC says September is an especially dangerous time for young road users. Crashes involving minors are 37% higher during September than the monthly average, and children are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash during morning and afternoon school commute periods than at other times of the day.

Drivers are being asked to watch closely for children walking, cycling or riding scooters, avoid distractions and be prepared for increased traffic around schools.

As Saanich Police put it, hit the brakes and slow down.