**KIRKLAND LAKE OPP NEWS RELEASE**

The Kirkland Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind the public that students are returning to school after being off for the March break and that it is important for drivers to be extra vigilant and to pay attention to the flashing red lights and other safety equipment used on buses.

Since the beginning of 2019, the Kirkland Lake OPP have received several calls for service involving a school bus. Two people have been charged with failing to stop for a school bus and police have also attended two collisions involving school buses.  

It is illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal lights flashing. For a first time offence, you can be fined from $400 to $2,000 and have six demerit points added to your licence. In Ontario, school-bus drivers and other witnesses can report vehicles that have illegally passed a school bus. If you are the vehicle’s registered owner, these same fines may be applied to you.  

If you witness a vehicle failing to stop for a school bus call police immediately. As motorists you have the responsibility to adhere to the rules of the road. Please STOP for flashing lights on school busses.  

For further information on school bus safety, please visit: Http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/school-bus-safety.shtml

Filed under: Local News