DRYDEN - The Ontario Provincial Police Dryden Detachment is reminding the motorists that every driver must stop for school buses.
Since the start of the school year, the OPP has received numerous reports of drivers failing to stop for school buses when their upper red signal lights are flashing.
The OPP state that fatal consequences can occur if a child is crossing the roadway. Police are reminding all drivers to slow down and to pay attention to the roadway.
Drivers approaching a stopped school bus from the front or rear with its upper red signal lights flashing must stop and not pass until the signals are turned off and the bus moves.
Vehicle owners need to be aware that if the driver can't be identified, the owner can be charged for the offence provided the licence plate number is obtained by any witness.
If convicted, the driver/owner can be fined not less than $400 up to $2,000 for a first offence and to a fine not less than $1,000 - $ 4,000 or imprisonment for a subsequent offence.
