The third full week of October is observed as School Bus Safety Week in Manitoba.
Each day, Mountain View School Division (MVSD) transports approximately 1,400 students from their place of residence to schools and back. In addition, MVSD also offers regular transportation to students for field trips and sporting activities. Our division is spread over a very large geographical area and transportation is essential to offering its students quality education and experiences.
School bus safety is everyone’s responsibility. Continue reading through the roles of motorists, students and drivers to see how you can help play a role in keeping our students safe!
For the motoring public:
Children are most at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus. It’s important for all drivers, as well as parents and students, to understand school bus safety.
Vehicles travelling in either direction MUST STOP when a school bus is stopped with its alternating red lights flashing and stop arm extended. If found guilty of violating this section of The Highway Traffic Act, you are subject to a penalty of up to $655.65, and two demerits will be applied against your driver’s licence. During the hours that school buses operate, drivers should be especially careful.
Buses are designed with a number of traffic control devices including warning lights to alert other drivers. When a bus displays flashing overhead amber lights, it is about to stop to load or unload students. You must slow down and prepare to stop.
When the bus stops and the driver opens the door, the bus displays flashing red lights and the stop arm extends from the left side. This means only one thing - that students are going to be loading or unloading. It is illegal to pass from either direction in this situation*. You must stop at least five metres from the bus. You must remain stopped until the flashing overhead red lights are turned off and the stop arm is folded in.
*You are not required to stop if travelling in the opposite direction on a divided roadway separated by a physical median or ditch. A double solid line is not considered a physical separation.
Illegally passing a school bus can result in tragedy. Be cautious around school buses, and ALWAYS stop when a bus’s red lights are flashing. Give kids a Brake…STOP for the School Bus!
For the student:
Students are taught about the safety rules in school by their teachers and they are also taught the rules of the bus by their bus driver. The following are safety tips to review:
When you board or leave a bus
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- Be at the bus stop before the bus comes
- Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road - don't play in ditches or on snow banks
- Stay out of the DANGER ZONE: if you can touch the bus, you're too close - use 10 giant steps to take you out of the DANGER ZONE, and make sure you and the bus driver can see each other
- Always cross the road in front of the bus, never behind
- Look all ways and wait for the driver to signal before you cross in front of a bus
- Walk at least 10 big steps from the front of the bus
- Enter or exit the bus in single file - never push or shove
- Walk - never run - across the road
While on the bus
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- Find a seat right away. Stay seated, facing forward at all times
- Don't put things in the aisle
- Never distract the bus driver. Always follow their instructions
- Don't eat or drink
- Don't yell, push people or throw things
- Keep your arms and head inside the bus
For the school bus driver, and MVSD:
All MVSD buses go through vigorous safety checks, by qualified mechanics, every six months to ensure that all safety features are working properly.
Bus drivers perform pre-trip inspections on their bus prior to every trip. Any mechanical or safety issues that are found will be addressed with a mechanic and/or the transportation supervisor prior to loading any students on the bus.
Every year, regular bus routes are developed, shared and updated as needed with rural municipalities (RMs). This knowledge allows the RMs the ability to ensure proper clearing and maintenance of the roads that are regularly travelled on by our buses, and ultimately improves the safety of the student and driver.
Come be a part of the Safety Team!
MVSD is currently looking for individuals to train as bus drivers. This is a great opportunity to contribute to your community, offers you flexible employment opportunities and a chance to make a difference in the lives of our students!
For further information about becoming a bus driver, please contact Ernest Karpiak by calling 204-638-3001 or email [email protected].