Skip to content

Police crackdown on Chilliwack drivers not stopping for kids and school buses

Warning issues being sent out now will soon be replaced by $368 fines
15431879_web1_Kids-crossing-school-bus-Sept-29-2009
Students leave a school bus and cross a Chilliwack street. (Paul Henderson/ Progress file)

Local drivers who continue to ignore school bus flashing red lights may soon be getting $368 fines in the mail.

Chilliwack RCMP reports a number of recent incidents called in by both bus drivers and other motorists regarding drivers failing to stop when students are boarding school buses.

“Although the majority of offences reported to us have occurred in rural areas we have received complaints from inside of the city as well,” said Cpl. Mike Pfeifer of Chilliwack RCMP Traffic Service Unit. “We remind motorists to stop when approaching a school bus with red lights activated.”

Police say that because of these recent incidents, driving infraction warning notices are in the mail from the RCMP to registered owners of vehicles that fail to stop for school buses displaying their red flashing lights.

• RELATED: Four students sent to hospital after school bus crash in Mission

• RELATED: Alberta looking into mandatory school bus seatbelts: Transport Minister Mason

As police step up enforcement, warning notices will soon be replaced with violation tickets that carry a fine of $368.

“Failing to stop for school buses is reckless and places students and other motorists in needless danger,” said Cpl. Mike Rail, spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment. “RCMP remain committed to keeping our roadways safe for the travelling public.”

RCMP urge anyone who witnesses erratic or reckless driving behaviour on our roadways to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).


@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.