Service NL
Education
September 12, 2014
Enhancing School Bus Safety for Children, Families and Communities
Pre-Stop Amber Warning Lamps Now Allowed on School Buses
Effective today, school buses can now use exterior amber flashing light systems when preparing to stop, in addition to the mandatory red flashing lights that are used when a bus is stopped to pick up or drop off students. The amber lights provide a warning to motorists, allowing them more time to slow down and react safely.
“Amber warning lights provide an extra measure of safety for school buses in the province. The lights provide motorists with advanced warning that the bus will be stopping, giving more time for motorists to slow down and proceed safely. Motorists travelling in both directions must still stop when a school bus is displaying flashing red lights.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Service NL
These changes to the bus regulations allow school bus operators to use alternating amber/red flashing light systems that come already installed on buses from the manufacturer. As many newer school buses are already equipped with this system, operators will no longer be required to modify light systems to meet the previous standard of an all-red system. However, operators will also be able to continue to use buses already equipped with an all-red system, as the regulations will allow for the use of either system. The busing industry is supportive of these changes to the regulations.
“Ensuring the safety of our school children is a priority for this government. Over the past year, the Department of Education and school districts have been working on a number of considerations raised in an independent Student Transportation Review to improve the safety and efficiency of our school busing system. These include issuing a Request for Proposals to provide transportation routing software; finalizing revisions to the contract template for private school transportation operators; continuing an external camera pilot project to identify drivers who violate school bus safety laws; and developing improved driver training programs.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education
These changes are in addition to amendments made to the Highway Traffic Act last year that more clearly defined school zones, enhancing enforcement of speed limits within those zones. Use of both exterior amber and red flashing light systems is consistent with many other Canadian jurisdictions.
QUICK FACTS
- The Bus Regulations have been amended to allow the use of exterior amber warning lights on school buses in addition to existing red lights.
- Amber lights will provide an advanced warning to motorists when a bus is about to stop. Red lights will continue to mean that motorists travelling in both directions must stop to ensure students can safely enter or exit a school bus.
- These amendments to the bus regulations are effective today.
- Transport Canada has conducted research which shows that use of the flashing amber light system has been effective in reducing the speed of oncoming vehicles.
- Many school buses are already manufactured with alternating red and amber flashing light systems. Using both systems is allowed in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Nunavut.
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Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Service NL 709-729-4860, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
2014 09 12 3:05 p.m.