North Bay OPP recently wrapped up its focus patrol involving area school buses.
Running from November 4 to the 15, and set up due to a high number of traffic complaints regarding failure to stop for a school bus, officers only had one incident.
Around 4:00 pm on November 8, officers received a call that a transport truck had failed to stop for the flashing lights of a school bus on Highway 11 north. Police were able to locate the tractor-trailer and the driver was charged with Fail to Stop for a School Bus.
The Highway Traffic Act explains that motorists traveling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal lights flashing. Drivers are not to proceed until the lights on the school bus have stopped flashing. Penalties include fines from $400 to $4000 and six demerit points upon conviction.  A reminder that the stop arm on the school bus does not have to be extended.
Vehicle owners can also be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, regardless of who was driving the vehicle at the time.
