Dangerous increase in red-light school bus fly-bys on rural roads

Only on a divided highway does oncoming traffic not have to stop for a bus with its lights flashing.

While drivers coming toward the bus may think they aren’t putting anyone at risk by their actions, Shaw says the many video recordings captured by the on-bus camera systems tell a different story. After the vehicle speeds by, you’ll often see a student crossing the road to get on board.

Palliser released a video showing a fly-by in real time. A student is waiting inside the bus to leave when the bus driver hits the horn as an approaching minivan passes at high speed. The video shows how quickly the situation could have gone wrong had the student already left the bus and started crossing the road.

Shaw says it’s fortunate that bus drivers have students trained to watch them for the signal that it’s safe to cross.

He says it’s incredible to watch the footage of recent fly-bys, particularly in light of the poor winter driving conditions.

“You’d think motorists would already be slowing down and approaching with caution,” he says. “You would think so, but if you see some of the tapes, it’s full speed ahead. They’re not even slowing down.”

The 45 fly-bys reported to date are an increase from 38 in the same period a year ago. There were 62 reports last year.

In 2012-2013, the first year Palliser launched its Think of Us on the Bus safety campaign, bus drivers reported 77 incidents. That equates to about one report every two school days.

The campaign aims to increase public awareness, educate drivers and students on safety practices, and build partnership with law enforcement. Many times, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement or other enforcement partners have responded to spikes in fly-by reports by increasing visibility on high traffic routes. The support from enforcement has been incredible and greatly appreciated, Shaw says.

Shaw was recently contacted by a counterpart at a school jurisdiction in Manitoba interested in Palliser’s Think of Us on the Bus campaign to address hundreds of fly-bys there.

“I gave him our website and told him to use whatever he could if he thought it would help,” Shaw says.

In recent years, Palliser added camera units to its buses in high traffic areas. On any given day, all 13 routes serving Coaldale schools are operating with on-board cameras, simplifying the reporting process when an incident occurs. Of the seven incidents in February, five were recorded and shared with enforcement agencies so $544 tickets could be issued. Had the incidents been spotted by enforcement in person, not just on camera, the ticket could also carry six demerit points.

Red flashing lights are used on buses in rural areas and in municipalities which allow them. If approaching a bus that’s stopped for students to load or unload without flashing lights, motorists should proceed with caution and can pass if it’s safe to do so.

by Dawn Sugimoto - Communications Officer - Palliser Schools

Dangerous increase in red-light school bus fly-bys on rural roads

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