Keep kids safe: Pembina Trails launches school bus awareness campaign

Each day, nearly 2,600 Pembina Trails students ride a school bus to get to class.

Our families expect their students to arrive and return home safely from school, but the reality is getting on and off a bus can be dangerous.

Many drivers fail to stop when they see red flashing lights and the school bus stop sign extended. This is a real problem that goes far beyond Pembina Trails. In fact, many communities across the country have launched school bus safety campaigns.

We have heard from far too many of our drivers and parents about close calls - and that is why we want to be proactive. Pembina Trails sees the importance in helping to educate drivers. The more we can do to spread safety awareness, the safer our kids will be.

Our buses are now equipped with red light/stop arm cameras. These cameras can capture the license plates of vehicles that do not stop for the flashing red school bus lights. The video will then be shared with the Winnipeg Police Service.

"This campaign is about safety. We all share a collective responsibility and each need to do our part to keep kids out of harms way," shared Superintendent Ted Fransen. "We train our bus drivers, we talk to our students and now we are connecting with those behind the wheel. We all need to take responsibility and do our very best to prevent a tragedy."

Drivers can face a fine of more than $600 plus two demerits for passing a bus stopped with flashing lights.

"The Winnipeg Police Service takes school bus safety seriously, particularly at the beginning of the school year," said Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel. "Inattention or impatience when you're driving near a school bus can have catastrophic results. Please be careful around school buses and always obey the flashing red lights and extended stop sign."

Pembina Trails will not receive any revenue if a ticket is issued. We are simply motivated by a strong interest in student safety. We hope this campaign helps educate drivers and makes anyone behind the wheel think twice before passing a bus with flashing red lights.