Two week school bus safety blitz in effect by North Bay OPP

 The North Bay OPP has launched a two week school bus safety initiative.

Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Laura Houliston says there have been 78 school bus related complaints in the last 5 years with an upswing in October and May.

She says a two week safety blitz started yesterday (wed) and will conclude on October 28th.

Pierre Ranger lost his brother because someone didn’t stop for a school bus. He says just being patient for a short time can make the difference for someone whether they live or die like his brother Adam.

Staff Sgt. Houliston says school buses are equipped with flashing red lights, a stop arm and other equipment to ensure they can be easily seen by motorists.

She says they will be doing extra patrols when school buses normally run.

Staff Sgt. Laura Houliston says their focus will be in 3 areas Mattawa, Highway 17 East and Highway 17 West. Police remind people if you fail to stop for a school bus that has overhead red signal lights flashing you can be fined $2,000 and have 6 demerit points added to your license.