Back to School Traffic Safety
Published
As kids head back to school, drivers are urged to slow down and stay alert in school zones, crosswalks, and near buses. Most school bus collisions happen in urban areas, and failing to stop for a bus with flashing red lights can cost $567 and six demerit points. Safe, attentive d
As children head back to class, please help keep them safe on our roads by paying extra attention in school zones, at crosswalks, and around buses.
Kids are excited to be back and may be distracted or move unpredictably as they head to and from school. Afternoon traffic adds to the risk. It’s important for drivers to slow down, monitor crosswalks and school zones carefully, and be prepared for children who may suddenly step into the street.
Safe driving tips:
- Be on the lookout for children crossing the road.
- Use caution and be alert when driving near buses and in school zones.
- Watch for alternating flashing amber lights, which means a bus is slowing down to stop so children can get on or off.
- Slow down and stop when a school bus activates its flashing red lights. This applies whether you are approaching from the front or following behind. The only exception is if the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway.
- Proceed only once the red lights stop flashing.
- Watch for children crossing the road at all times, even when bus lights are not flashing.
Quick facts
- You are not permitted to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction within a school zone, when the zone is in effect.
- The speed limit for both urban and rural school zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.
- The vast majority (about 90 per cent) of collisions involving school buses occur in urban areas.
- The penalty for failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights is $567 and six demerit points.
Related information
- School and Playground Zones