“Cross in view, it’s the right thing to do!”

During School Bus Safety Week, students are reminded of the importance of crossing the street in full view of motorists and cyclists to ensure their safety, Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson announced.

“Despite ever-improving technology and our best intentions, accidents still occasionally occur.  This year, we want to remind students that being in the bus driver’s sight plays a large part in making sure they reach their destination safely,” Bjornson said.  “Since students, teachers and families have their back-to-school routines re-established, this is a good time to remind everyone to focus on basics such as being seen and catching a driver’s attention before crossing a road, street or
highway.”

This year, School Bus Safety Week will be recognized from Oct. 19 to 23. The 2009 School Bus Safety Week theme Cross In View, It’s the Right Thing To Do! serves as a reminder to students to make themselves visible as they prepare to cross roadways in front of a stopped school bus. By positioning themselves beyond the extended crossing arm, students make themselves visible to the school-bus driver.

Provincial laws under the Highway Traffic Act also focus on school-bus safety.  Drivers are required to stop five metres from the front or rear of any school bus that is stopped on a road with its lights flashing.  It is illegal for drivers approaching a school bus from either direction to pass when the bus is stopped with its amber or red lights activated, except on divided highways.  The set fine for passing a school bus that is stopped with its lights flashing is $619 and two driver’s licence demerit points.

Every year, specially trained school-bus drivers safely transport more than 60,000 students to and from school daily.  To ensure the safety of passengers, safety equipment on the province’s 1,800 school buses includes:

• stop arms and crossing arms,

• eight-light warning systems,

• roof-mounted flashing strobe lights,

• laminated safety glass,

• high seat backs,

• roof hatches,

• retro-reflective marking,

• heated mirrors, and

• anti-lock braking systems.

More information on school bus safety is available at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/ptu/education.html.