The Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools is asking every driver around the city and county to pay close attention to school buses over the next few weeks. The school division’s transportation department has seen a jump in reports from bus drivers about motorists failing to stop when buses flash their red lights, and the risk is higher now with students still getting to exams and year-end events.
School bus drivers have been telling the division about a growing number of drivers who ignore the flashing red lights and keep moving. In Alberta, the law is clear: when you see those lights, you must stop, no matter which direction you’re coming from, unless you’re on the opposite side of a divided highway. The fine for breaking this rule sits at $567, plus six demerit points on your licence.
“School buses are among the safest forms of transportation for students, but the area around a stopped school bus is one of the highest-risk environments children encounter during their school day,” the division said in its safety notice. The warning comes as buses stay busy carrying students to diploma exams scheduled June 10 to 23 and to graduation activities at Wetaskiwin Composite High School.
The high school on 50 Avenue serves grades 9 through 12, drawing students from Wetaskiwin, Millet, and the surrounding rural area. The school division runs buses for about 16 schools, so drivers can expect to see them on roads throughout the region during the morning and afternoon rush.
Along with the fine and demerits, drivers who blow past a stopped bus can face higher insurance costs, employer monitoring, possible licence trouble, and even court claims if something goes wrong. The division also points out the school zone speed limit of 30 km/h stays in effect on school days from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. With buses still on their regular routes through the last days of June, the message from the school board is simple: stop for the bus, every time.
