As school resumed Wednesday after two weeks of spring break, West Shore RCMP were reminding drivers that it’s illegal to pass a school bus in either direction when its red lights are flashing.
Drivers who violate the rule can be hit with a $368 fine and three penalty points.
Since September, police have investigated 28 incidents on the West Shore where a driver was reported travelling past a school bus while the red lights were flashing.
A stop sign also extends from the side of the bus when the red lights are engaged.
“Red flashing lights are deployed when the bus is stopped and students are boarding/deboarding the school bus,” police said in a statement. “You never know when a child will unexpectedly run to or from a bus, or walk in front of the bus to cross the street.
“If traffic is not stopped in both directions this could be dangerous and increase the chances of a student being struck by a vehicle.”
