With kids heading back to school this week, Ontario Provincial Police have put out reminders to adults about safety and school buses.
When it comes to school buses, OPP say that drivers need to keep their eyes on the road and not on their phone especially when kids are waiting for the bus close to the road.
OPP also made notes on what drivers should be doing around buses.
- Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop
- Red flashing lights and the “stop” arm means you MUST stop
- Give school buses extra room on the roadway
- Slow down and use extra caution when travelling through school zones
- Watch for and obey crossing guards. They are there to help protect kids
Passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing can result in a fine of $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points for a first offence.
Parents are asked to remind their kids about safety rules when it comes to getting on and off the bus, or using sidewalks and crosswalks if they are available.
Parents are also asked to be mindful when sharing first day of school pictures on social media and recommend the following tips to play it safe:
- Remove any mention of the particular school
- Remove age and grade information
- Ensure your privacy settings are set properly
- Ensure your post is only being shared with friends you know
