Illegal Passing of a School Bus: What to do

It's important for everyone in our communities to help make sure our roads are the safest they can be. When it comes to school bus travel, it's very important for our young people to arrive safely at their destination. Over 800,000 young people are transported safely in school buses every school day.

Motorists are required by law to stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. Unfortunately, a few motorists will disregard the law and pass the school bus, jeopardizing the safety of young people boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the road.

What to do if you see a vehicle pass a stopped
school bus with its red lights flashing

As a citizen:

You can help make our roads safe by reporting the dangerous and illegal passing of school buses with the following tips.

1. Report the incident to police immediately by phone or in person at the nearest police station.
2. Provide the make, model, colour and licence number of the vehicle.
3. Provide the location, date and time of the incident.
4. Provide a description of the driver if possible.
5. Was the vehicle being passed a "chrome yellow" school bus with the words "School Bus" at both the front and rear of the bus?
6. Was it a small or a large school bus?
7. Was the school bus stopped?
8. Were the upper red lights of the school bus flashing while it was stopped?
9. Were there passengers boarding or exiting the school bus?
10. Did the vehicle pass the school bus from the front or from behind the bus?

Any additional information including witnesses, photographs, etc. can be helpful when reporting to police.

School bus drivers only:

Download and complete the Illegal Passing of a School Bus Reporting Form (PDF - 95 KB)

This reporting form must be completed in its entirety before police action can be taken. You may also attend at a police station to make a report. You may be required at a later date to attend court to provide evidence of what happened. A copy of the completed form may also be provided to a person charged with an offence so that he or she has a summary of what you will say in court. The completed form should be delivered to your local police station as soon after the incident as possible.

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