As schools are set to resume another session, drivers in Ontario can expect to see an additional level of safety on school buses when the kids goes back to class.
A new provincial mandate that requires a warning light system on school buses in Ontario was enacted on July 1.
Before then, buses had four red lights on the front and four red lights on the back to inform drivers to stop. Due to the new mandate, drivers will now view an eight-light amber and red lighting system.
While explaining the development, Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services General Manager Kent Orr said: “What that means is the [inward] lights on the bus are amber, and the exterior are red.
“While drivers are approaching the bus, you’re going to get an amber light warning flashing to tell you the bus is about to stop. Once the bus is stopped and you can no longer pass the bus, the lights will change to red.”
In addition to the new lights, buses will be equipped with new signage on the back, telling drivers not to pass once the red lights are flashing.
Orr said he was hopeful the new system would end any confusion motorists have about when they should stop for a bus. Also, he said the system would give bus drivers a better chance to notify motorists that they need to prepare to stop.
He said: “That becomes important on some of our higher speed roads where vehicles are approaching quicker. So, they get more advance notice that the bus is coming to a stop.”
The eight-lamp system has been in use in several other cities in North America and Orr revealed there has long been a clamour to use it in Ontario. He made it known that local bus operators have been working throughout the summer to implement it onto buses and get them prepared to go for the start of the new school session.
According to Orr, there would be no adjustment to the penalties associated with not stopping for a school bus with flashing lights.
He said: “I try not to focus on the penalties, it’s safety for the kids. That’s what it’s all about is making sure cars don’t blow past buses that are stopped and put kids at risk.
“There are financial consequences, a driver’s license consequence and insurance implications. But, more importantly, we don’t want to get any kids hurt.”
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