Olds RCMP have received several complaints that some motorists aren't stopping properly and are even passing school buses while they're stopped to load or unload passengers.
So far, no accidents or injuries have occurred, but police are concerned something bad could happen if drivers don't change their ways. So they held a news conference late last week to get the word out.
Cpl. Shawn Morgan says some vehicles have passed school buses when the red lights on the bus were flashing as children crossed a highway.
Morgan says some confusion may have been created by the fact the rules regarding school buses in the town of Olds are different than they are outside the town.
In Olds, according to a town bylaw, red lights aren't activated on buses when children are getting on or off buses, etc., so motorists are not required to stop behind or in front of those buses.
However, that's not the case in rural areas, Morgan says.
Morgan warns there's a penalty for anyone found to have passed a bus with lights flashing outside Olds.
“The penalty for passing a bus with flashing red lights is $402 and six demerit points,” he says.
Morgan outlines the rules regarding motorists and school buses.
If the bus displays alternating flashing yellow or amber lights, that means it is slowing down to stop. Motorists should do the same.
A flashing red light on a bus means motorists should stop – no matter which direction you're coming from.
Morgan says drivers should always watch for children crossing roads and prepare to slow down and stop for them.
Pull Quote
"The penalty for passing a bus with flashing red lights is $402 and six demerit points." -Olds RCMP Cpl. Shawn Morgan
