As students return to classes, Bridgewater Police Service is reminding drivers to slow down and be extra cautious around schools, crosswalks, and school buses. Officers are actively monitoring traffic near Park View Education Centre, Bridgewater Elementary School, and Bridgewater Junior High School.
Drivers who pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and extended stop arms face a fine of $410 and six demerit points for a first offence. Failing to proceed with caution when passing a school bus with its amber warning lights flashing can result in a $295 fine.
Deputy Chief Danny McPhee said drivers need to pay close attention when they are near schools or following school buses. “We really want the children to be safe and the adults to be adults and just pay extra attention when they’re near school, near the crosswalks or following or next to any school buses,” he said.
Roughly 33 school buses transport more than 1,200 students in Bridgewater every day. The Bridgewater Police Service has a School Safety Resource Officer working with the three local schools.
Nova Scotia law also sets school zone speed limits at 30 km/h in areas where the approaching limit is 50 km/h, when children are present, and this reduced limit applies 24 hours a day, year-round whenever children are present. The province recorded over 1,100 illegal passes of school buses during the 2015-2016 school year, and some buses are equipped with cameras to capture licence plates of offending vehicles.
The three schools within Bridgewater town limits are operated by the South Shore Regional Centre for Education.
