The week of October 18-22, 2010 has been designated as school bus safety awareness week in the province of Nova Scotia.

Throughout this week, the RCMP and Safety Services Nova Scotia will be targeting efforts and conducting check points to help educate the driving public on school bus safety.

When the school bus is stopped with its alternating red lights flashing, a crossing gate protrudes from the front of the bus. This device encourages children to cross the road well in front of the school bus, where, despite their small size, the bus driver can see them, and they can see the bus driver.

This enables children to look for the bus driver’s signal that it is okay to cross the street.

Under the Motor Vehicle Act, you must stop for a school bus displaying alternating flashing red lights whether you are driving behind the bus or driving towards the bus in the opposing lane of traffic.

Please do your part to keep our children safe.

For more information visit www.schoolbussafety.ca.