West Region OPP to target unsafe drivers with new school bus safety campaign

(LONDON, ON) - Officers with the West Region OPP are taking steps to combat a recent spike in school bus crashes, with a new traffic enforcement campaign aimed at ensuring the safety of our region's school children.

The campaign, "Safety Stops Here," runs May 12-15. West Region OPP officers from 13 detachments will conduct enforcement blitzes for school bus runs, using marked and unmarked cruisers. They will also "adopt-a-bus" by selecting a route and following the school bus to its destination.

Officers will focus their efforts on drivers who fail to stop for school buses with activated stop arms, in addition to those motorists who engage in unsafe driving behaviours, such as unsafe passing, speeding and following too closely.

The West Region OPP is launching the campaign after officers responded to nine school bus collisions last month alone. While no injuries were reported, the frequency and risk to student safety is a growing concern. Stopping for school buses is not optional - it's the law.

"Risky driving behaviours around school buses are unacceptable,” says inspector Mike McConnell, West Region OPP traffic safety and marine manager. “This initiative presents an opportunity to raise awareness through enforcement and education. The goal is to help ensure a safe end to the school year for students across our communities."