School Bus Safety Week

At Parkland School Division, student safety is our top priority. We operate one of the largest student transportation systems in the province and are responsible for safely busing more than 7,800 student riders, who collectively travel over 19,250 kilometres each school day. If you add up how far we go in a school year, it would be like going to the moon and back four and a half times!

School Bus Safety Week is October 21-25, 2024, and Transportation Services encourages everyone to focus on student rider and bus safety by following the tips below.

School Bus Safety Tips

Plan Ahead and Don’t Rush

• Motorists should plan their travel and allow enough time to avoid rushing or driving unsafely. Taking care is extra important during the winter months.

Look For Strobe Lights

• Roof-mounted strobe lights are on whenever a PSD-contracted bus is in service. Strobes improve the visual presence of school buses, both when driving and when stopped to load or unload riders.

Stop! In the Name of Love.

• Staying alert and engaged on the road and making sure you stop for school buses and at all crossings helps to keep the ones we love safe.

Don’t Pass When Red Lights Flashing

• When school buses display red flashing lights, the law requires motorists in all directions to stop. Did you know that all PSD-contracted buses have exterior video cameras that can provide law enforcement with the footage? The authorities may use this footage to issue you a ticket, which carries a fine of $567, and take six demerit points off your driver’s license, which will even impact your auto insurance premium.

Leave Your Phone Alone

• Driving requires full attention—a life may depend on it. Don’t let a call or text distract you. 

Thank Your Bus Driver!

• School bus drivers embrace tremendous responsibility to ensure student rider safety. Please take a moment to thank your driver. The best gift you can give them is being alert and safe on the roads!

For more information, please contact:
Transportation Services
Phone: 780-963-8452
Email: transportation@psd.ca