The North Bay Police say the public has been doing a decent job getting re-acquainted with school buses on the road again for the first time since Mid March.
Between the police and school bus officers, the police estimate they are still receiving some complaints, and two charges have been laid to drivers running school bus stop signs.
"Generally speaking the biggest police concern in dealing with the return to school is drivers getting used to the additional traffic, both vehicle and pedestrian," stated John Schultz, special constable and community safety coordinator with the North Bay Police Service.
Schultz says school bus driving infractions are generally high at this time frame.
"This year is no exception. Between Police and school bus operators, we are receiving about 2 complaints a day. As of this date, we have issued two tickets for not stopping for a school bus when required to do so."
Drivers should also be aware that:
- Failing to stop for a school bus -the fine for a first offence starts at $400, up to $2000, plus victim surcharge and court costs, with 6 demerit points added to the driver’s license on conviction
- Drivers who fail to wait for pedestrians to crossroad when crossing with a school crossing guard present faces a ticket with a fine of $150 to $500 and 3 demerit points
- Fines in community safety zones are doubled. Whether it be speeding, failing to stop for a crossing guard, or a school bus
“Our police service’s traffic and patrol officers are conducting targeted traffic enforcement in school zones, along bus routes, and at pedestrian crossings where crossing guards are present,' stated Greg McClenaghan, traffic sergeant with the North Bay Police Service.
"We ask our motoring public to help us get our young people to and from school safely by following the rules of the road, however, drivers should know enforcement action is being done for those who choose not to follow the rules.”
From the Province of Ontario MTO website here is the information police require as we work together to make our roadways safe;
