FAILING TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS

For the protection of our children and other road users, failing to stop for a school bus is treated very seriously.

YOU MUST ALWAYS STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS

Maybe you’re late for work. Maybe you’re not sure when you should stop for the flashing red lights and stop sign of a school bus. No matter the situation, you should always stop for any school bus with its flashing lights on. You will put your children’s safety at risk if you don’t stop.

THE DEFINITION OF FAILING TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS

Provincial laws can vary across the country. “Failing to stop for a school bus”, Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act states in Section 175 (11 & 12):

(11) Every driver or street car operator, when meeting on a highway, other than a highway with a median strip, a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 175 (11).

(12) Every driver or street car operator on a highway, when approaching from the rear a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop at least twenty metres before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 175 (12).

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU APPROACH A SCHOOL BUS

You must stop at least 20 metres behind a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing.

PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS

Different provinces have different penalties. In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act sets out the following potential penalties for drivers “failing to stop for a school bus”

Fines: a maximum of $2,000 (first offence) and $4,000 (subsequent offences)
Demerit Points: 6
Driver’s Licence Suspension: 30 days (applicable to G2 drivers)
Driving Record: a conviction will remain on your driving record for 3 years (and your insurance rates may be higher for that length of time)

HOW TO FIGHT FAILING TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS CHARGES

Any law whose main intent is to protect children is taken very seriously by law enforcement and the courts.

The first step in successfully fighting the charges is to hire the right legal team experienced in winning against “failing to stop for a school bus” charges. Ticket Busters team of qualified and experienced lawyers and legal professionals understand how the officers who charged you enforce the law, and how the courts hear and process your case. We know how to get the best results possible.