Central Alberta education authority catches bad drivers on camera – Red Deer Advocate

Chinook’s Edge School Division school films many motorists ignoring flashing red stop lights on buses.

Between September 1 and November 30, a total of 43 drivers were filmed driving illegally through the flashing lights of the bus.

Transport director Corinne Varga said that one afternoon three infractions were filmed on a single route.

“We have had the same problem for many years now. If we can save a child, (the cameras) are worth it, ”Varga said.

Chinook’s Edge operates more than 115 bus routes each school day and more than 3,000 students rely on school buses in the rural school jurisdiction.

A digital camera and radio system with GPS was installed on all Chinook’s Edge school buses over the summer for safety and insurance purposes. A report and video are sent to local police when violations occur.

The fine for not stopping when a bus’s red lights flash is $ 543 and six demerit points.

She said offenses occur both in small communities and in rural areas where buses run. Each school division manages the “flyovers”.

“I kind of wonder what people think. Cameras are definitely a blessing for a lot of pilots, ”said Varga.

On a divided highway, alternating red lights will begin to flash when the school bus stops to allow students to get on or off. A stop sign will also be extended on the left side of the bus.

Motorists should remain stationary until the alternately flashing red lights are extinguished and the driver’s side stop sign is no longer out.

On a road divided by a median, motorists can proceed with caution when a school bus flashes its amber or red lights alternately.

Betty Clark, transportation manager at Wolf Creek Public Schools, said drivers who ignore flashing lights on buses are an ongoing problem.

“We see a lot of it and it’s so alarming and so dangerous,” Clark said.

She said the offenses mainly occur in urban areas and on secondary roads. They also tend to occur more often in the spring and fall.

“The weather made the drivers slow down slightly. I hope this trend will continue.

Almost 50 percent of students in Wolf Creek take the school bus, and the Rural Division offers 79 scheduled trips each school day.

Clark said some of his buses are fitted with cameras and Wolf Creek is working on installing more.

szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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Chinook’s Edge School Division