Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are Essex County is reminding drivers once again of the need for safety around school buses, as well as the consequences of disobeying the laws.
With the school year moving into its final two months, the OPP has asked drivers to ensure that they are watching for school buses with their lights on, particularly on weekday mornings and afternoons.
The OPP will have enhanced patrols in the weeks ahead to ensure compliance.
"Every driver or street car operator, when meeting on a highway, other than a highway with a median strip, a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing," reads Section 175 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. "When approaching a school bus from the rear that has its overhead signal lights flashing shall stop at least 20 meters before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing."
The OPP say there could be serious consequences for those who do not follow the law.
"Motorists that fail to stop for a stopped school bus face stiff penalties upon conviction," said OPP Constable Chris Ciliska. "First offence, the maximum fine is $2,000 and six demerit points. For each subsequent offence, the maximum fine is $4,000, or imprisonment, or both, and six demerit points."
The registered owner of the vehicle may be charged if the driver can't be identified.
Complete information on stopping for school buses and crossings can be found on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO)'s official website.