Premier Declares School Bus Safety Awareness Week

To help make the province an even safer place for students and educators, Premier Darrell Dexter has declared Oct. 17-21 School Bus Safety Awareness Week in Nova Scotia.

This year's theme is Be Aware: Know the Danger Zone.

"Children are taught at an early age how to stay safe when riding the school bus," said Premier Dexter. "It is important that parents, educators and other motorists also know the safety procedures in place to avoid an accident.

"The purpose of this week is to help raise awareness of school bus safety to prevent a tragedy. I encourage all Nova Scotians, whether they have children or not, to familiarize themselves with the laws when driving near a school bus."

Motorists are required to stop for a school bus when it is stopped with its alternating red lights flashing. This indicates that the bus is loading or unloading students. The penalty for passing a school bus in this situation is a significant fine and six points added to a person's licence.

To further protect students and help make communities safer, government also plans to introduce legislation this fall to reduce the current speed limit when driving in a school zone.

For more information on school bus safety, go online at www.schoolbussafety.ca.