A recent spike in the number of collisions involving school buses has prompted West Region OPP to launch a traffic safety campaign, targeting unsafe driving behaviours.
In the last month alone, West Region OPP has responded to nine crashes involving school buses.
Although no injuries were reported, police said the frequency and safety risk is a growing concern.
In a video posted to social media Monday morning, Sgnt. Ed Sanchuck referenced 12 school bus collisions in the last 40 days across southwestern Ontario.
"The last thing we want to do is knock on somebody's door saying their child - innocent child - has been seriously injured or killed as a result of an impatient driver," Sanchuk said. "Stopping for school buses is not optional, it's the law. So please, let's use some common sense, this isn't rocket science."
Over the next week, OPP officers will conduct "enforcement blitzes" using marked and unmarked cruisers and will follow school buses on select routes.
Officers will focus on drivers who fail to stop for school buses with activated stop arms, those who pass in an unsafe way, and those who speed or follow too closely.
"Risky driving behaviours around school buses are unacceptable," said OPP West Region Traffic Safety and Marine Manager Inspector Mike McConnell. "This initiative presents an opportunity to raise awareness through enforcement and education. The goal is to help ensure a safe end to the school year for students across our communities."
The "Safety Stops Here" campaign will run from May 12 until May 15.
