By Sheldon Spackman

Local motorists reminded of school bus safety rules

Nov 22, 2018 | 11:21 AM

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is reminding local motorists of the rules of the road regarding school bus safety.

In Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House and surrounding communities including Red Deer County, district officials say the following school bus safety practices apply:

– When you see a school bus, assume students will be around and take extra care. Leave lots of space around the bus.
– When the school bus turns on the flashing yellow lights, this means it is about to stop and pick up/drop off students. Slow down and prepare to stop.
– When the bus turns on the flashing red lights – this means STOP in BOTH directions. Never pass a school bus with flashing red lights in either direction. It’s against the law and could have dire consequences. Stop well back, about 20 meters from the bus. If you have any doubt what to do – STOP.

Haleigh Packer, Communications Coordinator for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, says because several different communities are within their jurisdiction, it often causes confusion for drivers as to what to do around school buses.

“Red Deer and Olds, those communities prohibit us from using our flashing red lights,” explains Packer. “Therefore, we’re trying to educate people to slow down and be wary when around a school bus when they’re picking up a student.”

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However, in communities such as Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail and Red Deer County, Packer points-out drivers in both directions need to stop when school buses have their flashing red lights on.

“There are school buses across our division that we have started installing cameras to catch motorists who pass a school bus when our flashing red lights are out because it is illegal,” states Packer. “As well, it does impact our student safety and our school bus driver safety. We’re just trying to ensure students are safe and motorists are safe and our school bus drivers are safe.”

Packer says continuing to educate the public about school bus safety is very important.

“There’s a lot of newcomers to Red Deer from different provinces and different countries, so this education helps on a yearly basis,” concludes Packer.