Fines are now a lot steeper for not stopping for school buses with flashing lights.
Effective immediately, the Province has more than doubled the ticket for first offenders to $368, up from $168. The offense will still cost drivers three penalty points.
This is the result of a penalty review done in March. Public Safety Minister Mike Morris says getting kids to school safely is a top priority.
“There’s nothing more important than paying attention to the traffic rules, and particularly, paying attention to the flashing lights on a school bus, stopping when you’re supposed to, and protecting the lives of the precious cargo that all these buses haul,” he says.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone thinks the increased fine will send a stronger message.
“We’re hopeful that drivers will be more diligent and they’ll take into consideration the well-being of our children,” he says.
Repeat offenders will pay even more. A second ticket is $668 and a third will be over $1000.
The Province says BC Police issued 1,100 tickets for failing to stop for a school bus between 2009 – 2014. It adds no child has ever died while getting on or off the bus but fourteen have been injured.