LAC LA BICHE - The red lights won’t be the only things flashing on school bus STOP signs in the coming months. Cameras will also be flashing from the signs, catching motorists who don’t obey the signs.
Lac La Biche County’s Enforcement Services are ready to pilot a program in partnership with local school boards that will see cameras attached to the red signs on school buses. The camera will be activated whenever a vehicle fails to stop for the sign, catching the licence plate and vehicle description.
“It continues to be a major traffic and safety concern,” said the county’s manager of Enforcement Services, Chris Clark.
Several cameras have already been fitted on some area buses, says Clark, explaining that bus drivers continue to express concerns about vehicles that pass while the flashing lights and sign are displayed and children are on-boarding or off-loading.
According to the Alberta Rules of the Road regulation, the financial penalty for passing a school bus that has its red lights and stop signs engaged is $567 and the loss of six driving demerits.
The issue is not a new one for police, bus drivers or school divisions, and while no recent injuries have been reported, there have been many reports of near-misses.
According to the Rules of Road and provincial guidelines, traffic must come to a stop no less than 20 metres in front or behind a stopped school bus with its red flashing lights engaged. When the yellow lights are flashing, motorists may proceed, but with caution and should expect to stop or give way to the bus if it begins to move.
The bottom line, says Clark, is that STOP means STOP and any program that can help to better get that message to drivers and increase the safety of children and other motorists is a good thing.
He hopes the new camera project will help put a stop to those poor driving habits either through awareness or the sting of a big fine and driving demerits.
“When that flashing red light on the bus is on, it’s able to capture the licence plate,” he said.
There are more than 30 school bus routes operating in Lac La Biche County on any given school day.
*with files from Rob McKinley
