HRP release:

Halifax Regional Police issued three summary offence tickets Thursday morning at the intersection of Victoria Road/Thistle Street in Dartmouth for drivers illegally passing school busses.

Officers were in the area as part of an ongoing school bus safety initiative launched in October.

The public was invited to share the locations of bus stops where they have observed drivers passing school busses illegally. This feedback has helped officers take a targeted approach to school bus safety enforcement.

Since the launch of the school bus initiative, officers have made several visits to Victoria Road/Thistle Street. Other areas of focus in Dartmouth include Main Street, Albro Lake and Avenue Du Portage. Officers also spent time following busses leaving Dartmouth High School.

On the Halifax peninsula, officers followed busses leaving St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay and LeMarchant – St. Thomas Elementary. Several visits were made to Inglis Street, Joseph Howe Drive and Brunswick Street/Duke Street.

In Bedford, officers followed busses along their routes on the Bedford Highway, Starboard Drive and the Larry Uteck area.

Failing to stop for a school bus can result in a first offence fine of $410 and six points on your license. And most importantly, it could severely impact a person’s life.

Since the launch of the initiative, 14 summary offence tickets and two warnings were issued.

Halifax Regional Police thank the public and school bus drivers for their participation in this initiative.

Please continue to report unsafe driving practices to 902-490-5020, or call 911 in an emergency.