Bus safety week for SD58

In 2019, School District 58 completed a project to install cameras on their fleet of school buses. Each bus was equipped with five cameras to help enforce traffic laws and make it easier for the RCMP to track down the culprits.

The cameras record the exterior of the bus when the stop sign is deployed catching anybody driving past the bus illegally, those images are then passed on to the RCMP.

Despite all the technology and reminders to drivers, people are still ignoring the stop signs.

“We have our children that are coming on and off the bus that run across the road. If people don’t stop if could be the worst-case scenario. We’re just trying to get the word out there that you need to stop and hopefully we don’t have any incidents,” said SD58 Operations Manager Darrell Finnigan.

To help bring more attention to the issue, SD58 launched bus safety week.

“We’re also working with the RCMP. The RCMP are going to be helping us with enforcement and be watching the buses for people not stopping,” added Finnigan.

Drivers caught breaking the law by passing a stopped school bus can face fines starting at $368 and three demerit points. Fines increase for subsequent offenses.