HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-09-03, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,1997
Passing school bus double trouble for drivers DID YOU
KNOW?
The start of September marks a
return to school and a reminder to
motorists to be careful as students
and school buses are back on the
road.
Effective Sept. 1, the fines for
motorists who pass a stopped
school bus doubled.
These increases were part of
legislation introduced in
Transportation Minister Al
Palladini's tough road safety
package earlier this summer.
"Passing a stopped school bus is
one of the most serious offences
under the Highway Traffic Act,"
said Palladini. "We won't tolerate
motorists who put our children's
safety at risk."
The current fines for passing a
school bus with its overhead red
lights flashing and stop arm out, are
already among the highest under
the Highway Traffic Act. For a first
offence the fines have doubled to
$400 - $2,000. For repeat
offenders, the fines have doubled to
$1,000 - $4,000. In addition, a
convicted driver gets six demerit
points and on a second offence can
be imprisoned for up to six months.
"We're very supportive of this
action, which we hope will make
the public more aware of the
severity of breaking the law," says
Richard Donaldson, executive
director, Ontario School Bus
Association. "With 816,000
children riding in school buses
every day, we're committed to
safety, greater education and
greater enforcement."
The Highway Traffic Act was
also amended to require that school
buses stop at all railway crossings,
regardless of whether the crossing
is protected by gates or railway
signal lights. Transport Canada
reports that children riding in a
school bus are 16-times safer than
those riding in any other vehicle.
Despite this safety record, last year
more than 700 drivers were
convicted of failing to stop for a
school bus.
"School buses are one of the
safest methods of travel and we
want to keep it that way," said
Palladini. "As students, teachers
and parents prepare for a new
school year - let's keep our
children safe. Motorists should lake
extra care around school zones and
residential areas."
The Ministries of Education and
Training and Transportation are
also working together to develop a
school bus safety resource guide
which will be available to
community groups, school boards,
school bus operators and police.
Man found
On Aug. 28 at approx. 7:50 p.m.
the Ontario Provincial Police while
searching the railway tracks in
Tuckersmith Township found
Garry Young alive and well
wandering aimlessly on the tracks.
It appears he was despondent due
to personal issues.
He has been reunited with a very
grateful family.
In spite of his five days outside,
he appeared to be in good health.
Young, of Seaforth, was reported
missing on Aug. 23.
You should feed
your kitten a wide
variety of foods,
flavours and
textures to prevent
"food fatigue".
TO MEET ITS
NUTRITIONAL
STANOARDS
L0oVpr
CVMA Pet Food
Certification Program
77th Annual Belgrave, Blyth, Brussels
School Fair
to be held on
Wednesday, September 10,1997
MORRIS
TOWNSHIP
887-6137
HOWATT BROS.
TRANSPORT LTD.
local and long distance
hauling in Ontario
LIVESTOCK & GRAIN
Doug & Ron Howatt
RR 1, Belgrave
(519) 523-4500
Parade at 1:00 pm
followed by opening ceremonies
PAUL COOK
ELECTRIC
Home, Farm &
Commercial Wiring
Serving
Belgrave &
area since
1983
BRIAN
POTTER
Office 519 - 357-3622
‘Ifianfcs to our sponsors for their
generous support!
BELGRAVE
357-1537
EDGAR
FEED & SEED
Nlel & Kathy Edgar
R.R. #3 Wingham
Fall Special on Animal
Health Products
Dealer for Jones Feed Mill
Specializing in micronlzed feed
357-2122
^CO-OP^
Your complete farm store for
• Fertilizer • Seed
• Chemicals • Feed • Hardware
and much more
Belgrave
1-800-267-2667
357-2711
Auburn
526-7262
BELGRAVE
VARIETY
Open 7 days a week
“Postal service &
movie rentals”
Belgrave
(519) 357-1254
BOB W ATTA M’S
BACKHOE
SERVICE
Trenching - Septic Systems
- Excavating
Trucking - Float Service
- Landscaping
Free Estimates Quality Work
Belgrave
519-357-3069