NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
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The Highway Traffic Act requires motorists traveling in both directions to stop.
When approaching a stopped school bus from the rear that has its overhead red signal lights flashing, drivers must stop at least 20 meters behind the bus.
If you are approaching from the opposite direction, you must stop before reaching the school bus.
In both cases, do not proceed until the overhead red signal lights stop flashing.
On a highway that contains a median strip, only vehicles travelling in the same direction as the bus must stop.
Drivers who pass a stopped school bus with the overhead red flashing lights activated can be charged, at the roadside or up to six months following an incident, and will receive a $490 ticket that carries six demerit points.
In Guelph and area we have a Bus Watch program.
This allows bus drivers who witness a vehicle disobey this rule, to report the plate number to police.
When the driver cannot be identified, the registered owner of the vehicle is liable and subject to the same fine without the demerit points.
In Guelph, police generally give a warning to that owner for a first offence in an education over enforcement methodology.
Guelph Police average about two reports per week and have yet to ever have an owner receive a second complaint.
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