Motorists passing buses an ongoing safety concern
There has been a decrease compared to the previous three years, however red light violations from motorists passing stopped school buses continues to be a problem in the tri-counties.
From September to December in this current 2019-2020 school year, there were 82 reported cases of red light violations in Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth counties, according to the TriCounty Regional Centre for Education.
During the 2018-2019 school year there were 103 violations over the same timeframe; in 20172018 it was 91 violations and in 2016-2017 it was also 103 violations.
Safety is the main concern. Motorists who don’t stop when school buses are stopped with their red light and stop equipment activated run the risk of hitting a student who is crossing the road.
The TCRCE, and the TriCounty Regional School Board before that, have been raising awareness on an annual basis aiming to decrease – and hopefully one day eliminate – this pressing safety concern.
It is believed both motorists intentionally not stopping and distracted drivers are both contributing to the issue.
While it has been hoped that awareness and education would be enough to quell the problem, convictions are also seen as a potential deterrent. Cameras are present on buses that are aimed at identifying drivers who pass stopped buses.
“We have a number of buses in each county with cameras. Sometimes they move from county to county,” says Steve Stoddard, director of operations. As well, strobe lights have also been installed on buses to make them even more visible.
“I believe the red LED lights have helped reduce the number of violations,” he says.
Stoddard didn’t have any information on whether there have been any recent charges laid or convictions for these violations.
In Nova Scotia, failing to stop for a school bus can result in a first offence fine of $410 and six points on your license. The penalties are more severe in some other parts of the country. In P.E.I., for instance, failing to stop for a school bus will also result in 12 demerit points and driver's licence suspension for three months, plus a $5,000 fine.
Last spring a PC MLA introduced a bill in the Nova Scotia Legislature that he hoped would see penalities increase for drivers.
Under the bill, introduced by Pictou Centre Pat Dunn, drivers who fail to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights would get 10 demerit points on their licence and a six-month suspension. The maximum fine would increase to $5,000. The bill did not pass but Dunn, who is the transportation critic for the PC Caucus, said earlier this month he will continue to press the issue.