New school bus safety features aim to reduce drive-bys

Safety features on this fall’s newest school buses will help reduce the number of cars that unlawfully drive by when buses are stopping to pick up children.

The new buses have a stop arm at both the front and back of the bus. A second stop arm at the rear has been proven to reduce drive-by incidents in other provinces.

“Our school buses are carrying very precious cargo, and the safety of the 15,000 children who take the bus every day must be top-of-mind for us all,” said Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie. “The new dual stop arms will add another layer of safety for children, and these buses will be placed on routes with high pass-by incident rates.”

The provincial government purchased 30 new school buses over the past two years at a cost of more than $3 million. The province saves up to $15,000 per bus through a joint school bus tendering arrangement with other Atlantic provinces.

As part of its plan to reduce carbon emissions, the province is currently exploring a range of new school bus options such as alternate fuels.

As students head back to school on September 7, drivers are reminded to keep an eye out for buses that are picking up or dropping off children.

Drivers traveling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Drivers should stop a safe distance from the bus and refrain from moving forward until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move.

For more information about getting ready for the first day of school, visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/backtoschool.

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Media contact:
Jean Doherty