New Glasgow Regional Police officers and Motor Vehicle Compliance officers were holding checkpoints in various parts of town Friday.
The goal of the checkpoints was to check for motor vehicle violations as well as to hand out literature to raise awareness around school bus safety, said Const. Ken MacDonald.
“In our area we have had so far this year several reports of vehicles that have been proceeding through red lights, passing school buses,” MacDonald said.
In addition to being a huge safety concern he said it can also cost the drivers a lot. The penalty for illegally passing a school bus is six points against a driver’s licence and a first-time offence typically results in a $410 fine.
“Something that a lot of people don’t realize is that you can be fined for driving through amber lights as well,” MacDonald said. “So when buses put on their amber lights, that’s a clear indication that you should be anticipating a stop.”
The presence of a large yellow bus alone should be enough to make people realize they should be prepared to stop, he said.
“Students who are getting on the bus could be coming from either side of the road so it’s very important when you see that bus and those lights flashing amber that you anticipate the spot in both directions. It’s all about making our road safer.”
