News Release Archive
JUSTICE--STUDENT SAFETY ENHANCED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Justice Minister Jay Abbass today released an important advisory to motorists, designed to enhance safety for students. Recent changes to the Motor Carrier Act have eliminated the requirement for school buses to use amber lights when leaving a stop. Now, amber lights will flash only upon approach to a stop. This eliminates any confusion for motorists, and ensures flashing amber lights have one meaning only. The change in procedure has been endorsed by the Nova Scotia Safety Council and the Nova Scotia School Boards Association. Amber lights will continue to flash for 150 metres (500 feet) upon approach to a bus stop. Therefore, when amber lights are activated, motorists can be absolutely certain the school bus is approaching a stop, preparing to stop, and will be picking up or discharging passengers. Red lights will continue to flash until all children who must cross the highway have done so, and all others have cleared within three feet - or one metre - of the vehicle. Amber lights will no longer flash when the school bus is leaving a stop. "The change is necessary because previously the double meaning has caused confusion, and compromised safety," said Mr. Abbass. "Drivers who have been charged with passing a school bus with red lights activated in the past, have successfully argued the confusion relating to the double meaning of the amber lights did not allow them to react in time. We are eliminating that confusion, and that defence." The change in procedure also ensures uniformity, as Nova Scotia was the only jurisdiction in North America that required amber lights after red. -30- Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811 trp August 14, 1996 - 1:00 p.m.