Police Patrolling School Zones as New School Year Begins

 The North Bay Police Service is reminding drivers of their responsibilities as students return to school, and will conduct a Traffic Safety Initiative for the month of September.  The month-long project will target motorists that disobey traffic laws, especially in school zones.  Offences such as speeding, fail to stop for stop signs and illegally passing school buses with their lights flashing will be the focus of the campaign.

 Drivers should be conscious of the fact they are sharing the road with school buses and that young children will be traveling close to the road in increased numbers on their way to and from school.  

 Motorists should be aware of the multiple Community Safety Zones throughout the City of North Bay. Community Safety Zones are primarily located near schools, sports arenas, and playgrounds, and require drivers to lower their speed limits. Fines for violating the speed limit in a Community Safety Zone are increased.

 Flashing overhead amber lights were added to school buses in 2022. The flashing lights indicate that the bus will soon be stopping. If the bus’s amber lights are flashing, drivers must slow down and prepare to stop whether they are behind or approaching a bus.

 Always remember:

 ·        You must stop for a stopped school bus when it has its upper red lights flashing and/or its stop sign arm unfolded, whichever direction you are driving in. If a bus is stopped on one side of the road, a child may still need to cross to the other side of the road. Remain stopped until the bus moves.

 ·        You must obey the school bus law on any road, no matter how many lanes or what the speed limit is. Be prepared to stop for a school bus at any time, not just within school hours.

.  When driving on a road with a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction of the school bus is not required to stop.

 ·        Failure to obey these laws will result in a fine between $400 and $2000 and six demerit points

o   If you are the vehicle’s registered owner, you can be fined even if you aren’t driving the vehicle at the time.

 ·        Motorists must also yield to pedestrians and crossing guards in school zones.