**KIRKLAND LAKE OPP NEWS RELEASE**

From October 22-27, 2018 members of the Kirkland Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be participating in the School Bus Safety Week using the message “I STOP, YOU STOP”. The goal is to educate the public about the requirements of stopping for school buses, keeping our children safe and reducing the number of vehicles that fail to stop for a school bus.

Motorists must keep a safe distance away from a stopped school bus with red overhead lights flashing and stop arm extended. When following a school bus, Ontario law requires vehicles to stop 20 meters behind the bus. When meeting a school bus in oncoming traffic, vehicles must stop at a safe distance to allow students to cross well ahead of the bus bumper. It is important to remain stopped until the school bus arm has been folded in again, and the overhead red lights have stopped flashing. Drivers who fail to comply with this law face a financial penalty of between $400 and $2000 and 6 demerit points. A subsequent offence can cost the driver anywhere from $1000 to $4000 in fines plus possible imprisonment. This law also includes that the vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus.

Motorists will also observe the “Let’s Remember Adam-Stop”, for the School Bus road side billboards that were made possibly by the Kirkland Lake Road Safety Coalition and the generosity of local organizations and businesses. These are an important reminder to stop for a school bus with its red flashing light and arm activated. Kirkland Lake OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Joel Breault states, “Officers from the Kirkland Lake OPP Detachment will be aggressively enforcing the school bus laws. Officers will be monitoring school buses to ensure that motorists stop for the flashing red lights. Remember: a moment’s inattention can bring a lifetime of regrets”.

Filed under: Local News