Statement to the Ontario Legislature (October 20, 2005)

(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)

Mr. Speaker I rise in the house today to talk about something that I consider to be of great importance, and that is the safety of our children.

Specifically, the safety of our children when they are on a school bus.

This week is School Bus Safety week and we are joined today by Rick Donaldson from the Ontario School Bus Association as well as Brian Patterson from the Ontario Safety League.

Mr. Speaker, Rick and Brian know first hand about why this week is so vital, and we are happy to join with them to bring awareness to this issue. I want to acknowledge the great work both of these organizations have done to promote safety of our children, and thank them for their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to report school buses in Ontario are safer than ever before.

Our government is doing everything we can to stop drivers from putting children's lives in danger by illegally passing stopped school buses.

If a school bus is stopped and the red lights are flashing, drivers must stop. It's the law.

800,000 children in Ontario ride a bus to and from school every day. About 17,000 school buses are registered in the province.

Drivers across Ontario need to know they are putting children's lives at risk if they illegally pass a school bus - and they will not get away with it.

Mr. Speaker, as of September first, owners of vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus can be charged - no matter who is behind the wheel at the time.

One of my first acts, as Transportation Minister, was to introduce Bill 73, making owners liable when their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus. It was passed by the legislature last year.

The provisions in this bill will go a long way to promote the safety of our children.

Signs are required on the back of every bus in Ontario warning drivers of the maximum $2,000 fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus.

Safety features are required on new buses, including:

• A safety arm to keep kids from walking in front of the bus where the driver can't see them
• More emergency-exit windows, and
• Better mirrors to improve the driver's line of sight.

All of these new features have been added to all buses manufactured since January first of this year.

Mr. Speaker, I'm also pleased to report that we're distributing a new reporting form for school bus drivers.

If you see a vehicle illegally passing a stopped school bus…

Now you can report it!

A survey by Transport Canada suggests one third of school bus drivers across the country see a vehicle illegally pass a stopped school bus at least once a day.

That's unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure all members will want to join me in urging drivers to take care, and obey the rules of the road. Do not pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.

Keeping kids safe when they are travelling to and from school is important to parents, and it's important to the McGuinty government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker

See also: Bill 73, Highway Traffic Statute Law Amendment Act, 2004 (Child and Youth Safety Act)