Ottawa cops crack down on school bus passing

OTTAWA — September was a costly month for 91 motorists here who were charged in a police crackdown on tailgating and failing to stop for the flashing red lights of school buses.

Under the Ottawa Police Service's Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) last month, tailgating was the prevalent charge, with 78 tickets issued. The school bus initiative resulted in the laying of 13 charges.

The penalties for a driver passing a stopped school bus include fines ranging from $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points for a first offense. A second offense yields the driver a fine between $1,000 and $4,000, six demerit points and a possible jail sentence of up to six months.

Each month since 2004, STEP has been profiling and enforcing two initiatives that target specific traffic safety priorities. These initiatives support larger Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP) public awareness and enforcement campaigns.

In 2003, Ottawa's Public Works Department, Ottawa Public Health and the Ottawa Police Service developed the IRSP to provide a comprehensive approach in promoting road safety.