Nova Scotia drivers ignoring flashing school bus lights a growing problem: official

A school bus official in Nova Scotia says more drivers are ignoring flashing school bus lights.

"This is an extremely serious problem," said Denise Crouse on CBC's Information Morning. She's the chair of the Nova Scotia Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee.

In Nova Scotia, the law states that if you come across a school bus with red flashing lights while you're driving, you're supposed to stop, regardless of the direction you're coming from.

Robbie Fillmore, a school bus driver in Lunenburg County, says he sees this problem on the three routes he drives.

"Unfortunately, it's more common than a person might think," he said on CBC's Information Morning.

According to the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, more than 82,000 students travel across the province on about 1,100 buses every day.

Fines

The fine in Nova Scotia for not stopping for a school bus with its lights flashing is $410, plus six demerit points for a first-time offender. For subsequent offences, the fine increases to $1272.50.

Drivers can even be charged for passing a bus that has its amber warning lights flashing. The fine for failing to pass with caution carries a $295 fine.

"I don't think we really have enough teeth to really bite into this," said Fillmore, adding that he wasn't sure if increasing fines was the answer.

One option both Crouse and Fillmore support is to equip buses with arms that extend horizontally, effectively blocking the adjacent lane of traffic. 

"If an arm come right across the line, perhaps people wouldn't be able to get through," said Fillmore.

He worries that if people don't change their driving behaviour, "somebody's going to get hurt."