OPP remind motorists to stop for school buses after incident on Hwy. 6

A school bus is shown stopped with its lights flashing, indicating drivers need to stop, in this undated image. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/X)

Ontario Provincial Police have issued a public safety reminder following a dangerous incident on Manitoulin Island earlier this month.

The police service’s call of action is simple and explicit: drivers must stop for school buses with activated red lights.

The reminder comes after OPP received a report of a white Chrysler sedan that illegally passed a stopped school bus on Highway 6 in Tehkummah Township on Oct. 7. The bus had its red lights flashing and its stop arm fully extended at the time of the traffic violation.

Putting children’s lives at risk

OPP emphasizes that this is far more than a simple traffic infraction.

“Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal, but it also puts children’s lives at risk,” said police in a news release Thursday.

OPP explained that its core message is that the law is designed for one primary purpose – to protect vulnerable young passengers as they enter or exit the bus.

Knowing the law: a complete stop is mandatory

To avoid confusion, police are reiterating the specific legal requirements to the public.

The rule is absolute: when a school bus has its red lights flashing, every driver travelling in both directions must come to a complete stop a minimum of 20 metres away from the bus – even if the road has multiple lanes.

More information on school bus safety can be found at Ontario.ca and in the Ministry of Transportation handbook.

Heavy penalties for violations

The financial and legal repercussions for ignoring this law are severe and are designed to serve as a powerful deterrent.

For a first offence, fines range from $490 to $2,000, and drivers will receive six demerit points. The penalties escalate sharply for subsequent offences, with fines increasing to $1,000 and $4,000, the mandatory six demerit points and the possibility of up to six months in jail.

Safety is a shared responsibility

Since safety is a two-way street, OPP also provided an important reminder to the younger members of the community.

“Youth are reminded to wait in a safe place away from the edge of the road, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop with its overhead lights flashing or stop arm activated and look both directions to ensure there are no vehicles coming before approaching or exiting the bus,” said police.

See something, say something

OPP are calling on the public to become active partners in enforcing this vital safety law.

Anyone who observes a vehicle failing to stop for a school bus is urged to call 911 immediately and, if possible, provide a description of the vehicle, the licence plate number and the time and location of the incident to police.