Motorists Reminded to Remain Vigilant Around School Buses

  • Education and Early Childhood Development
  • Service NL

September 30, 2019

With the new school year well underway, and everyone settled into back-to-school routines, motorists are reminded to remain vigilant and obey highway and school bus safety laws.

The Provincial Government, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District and law enforcement officials, have been reminding motorists to drive with extreme caution, especially in school zones, and to follow the rules of stopping for a school bus as outlined in the Highway Traffic Act.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, fines for illegally passing a school bus range from $500-$1,200. Excessive speeding in a school zone can lead to vehicle impoundment for up to three days and fines from $400-$1,800.

The Provincial Government is asking drivers, parents, students and the public to continue to keep safety top of mind, share safety messages through social media and obey the rules when travelling in and around school zones.

Quotes
“One incident in a school zone is one too many and we will continue to remind motorists to be vigilant and obey the law to ensure the safety of our children. We thank everyone who has been paying attention to these important safety messages. Let’s not forget that the safety of students travelling on school buses is everybody’s responsibility.”
Honourable Brian Warr
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

“Just a split second can change your life and the life of a child and their family forever. Motorists must drive with extreme caution in school zones. Know the rules, obey the posted signage and please, do not drive distracted.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Service NL

“Our Board of Trustees recognizes that school bus safety is everybody’s responsibility, but we have particular concerns where members of the motoring public violate laws designed to keep our students safe. People must pay attention in school zones and around school buses – because a moment of distraction; a moment of bad judgement, can lead to a lifetime of regret.”
Goronwy Price
Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board

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Rappel aux automobilistes de rester vigilants à proximité des autobus scolaires

Learn more
School Bus Safety

Highway Traffic Act

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL@EDU_GovNL and @ServiceNL

Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

Krista Dalton
Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Cheryl Gullage
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
709-758-0032, 709-697-5856
CherylGullage@nlesd.ca

2019 09 30 11:40 am