On May 19, 2017, at approximately 7:55 am, a school bus was on Marguerite Street in the process of picking up children along the route. As the bus was stopped on the roadway with the lights activated and stop arm extended, a vehicle turned onto Marguerite Street towards the bus. The female driver of the vehicle veered onto the shoulder as she approached the bus, but continued past the stop arm of the bus and down Marguerite Street. The driver of the bus obtained the licence plate of the vehicle and provided it to police along with a description of the driver. The driver was identified by police and charged with the offence of Fail to Stop for School Bus, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. This offence carries a fine of $490 as well as 6 demerit points.
Espanola Police urge the public to be cautious when driving our local roadways during the early morning and afternoon hours, as there are many children boarding and disembarking from the school buses. Any failure to stop for a school bus could result in serious consequences should a child run out on to the road, and all violations will be reported and investigated by police.
