OPP receiving more complaints as motorists continue to ignore school bus stop signs

OPP Media Update

(FORT FRANCES, ON) - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been receiving an increasing number of complaints from local bus drivers and concerned citizens regarding vehicles not stopping for school buses that are stopped with their overhead red signal-lights flashing and drivers failing to wait until pedestrians fully cross at crosswalks before driving on.

It is important for drivers to remember that the Ontario Highway Traffic Act section 175(11) states: “Every driver or street car operator, when meeting on a highway, other than a highway with a median strip, a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing.” 

Also, drivers have to wait until a pedestrian has reached the other side of a designated school crossing or pedestrian crossover, or face a fine between $150 and $500. The law requires drivers to yield the entire width of the road to the pedestrian, instead of half the road, as was previously the case.

The Rainy River District OPP is reminding motorists that the safety of the children in the community is our priority.