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OPP reminding all motorists of the critical importance of stopping for school buses

Orangeville, ON, Canada / FM101 Orangeville Today
Rick SARGENT
Nov 17, 2025 | 5:53 PM
OPP reminding all motorists of the critical importance of stopping for school buses

Rear view of a stopped bright yellow suburban New York State USA school bus with flashing red warning lights and outstretched flashing stop signs on a rural residential highway waiting for school children to get on board and sit down. This school bus model is very tall - with unusually high vehicle to ground clearance - and large windows with multiple emergency exit doors and hatches - all safety measures to protect passengers and enable quick emergency worker access and easy passenger removal in any potential crash with another vehicle. Per New York state law, all other traffic must stop in both directions and wait for a stopped school bus when the red lights are flashing.



The Central Region Headquarters of the OPP is reminding all motorists of the critical importance of stopping for school buses when their overhead red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, drivers must stop at least 20 metres away from a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm activated. Failing to do so is not only illegal but puts children’s lives at risk. This applies to drivers approaching from both directions unless the roadway is divided by a median.
Penalties for failing to stop for a school bus include:
  • First offence: Fine of $400 to $2,000, six demerit points, and a significant increase in insurance premiums.
  • Subsequent offences: Fine of $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points, and possible jail time up to six months.
  • Vehicle owners can also be charged if their vehicle is involved, even if they were not driving at the time.