School bus safety top of mind for Bridgewater Police Service
Const. Charles Bruce, traffic safety officer with Bridgewater Police Service
The 2026-27 academic year is well underway and the Bridgewater Police Service is actively monitoring traffic around King Street, York Street and other high-volume areas to ensure children arrive at school and return home safely each day.
Students recently returned to classes at Park View Education Centre, Bridgewater Elementary School and Bridgewater Junior High School.
A major priority for Bridgewater Police Service is strict compliance with provincial school bus safety law. Drivers are legally required to stop in both directions when approaching a school bus displaying extended stop arms and flashing red lights.
Passing a stopped school bus is not only hazardous to children crossing the road, it is also a serious driving offence. In Nova Scotia, failing to stop for a school bus carries heavy penalties, such as a first offence fine of $410 and six demerit points assessed on the driver's license.
"We’re just reminding motorists to take extra care and caution as students travel to and from classes each day," said Const. Charles Bruce, traffic safety officer for the Bridgewater Police Service. "Taking it slow is much safer."
Bruce encourages motorists to respect school bus signals, adhere to reduced speed limits and remain consistently vigilant behind the wheel.
“This all helps make for a safe and successful academic year for our local young people,” he said.
To further protect young pedestrians, motorists are reminded of speed restrictions in school zones. The speed limit drops to 30 km/h in school zones where the approaching speed limit is 50 km/h whenever children are present.
"School zones can be unpredictable and kids don't always look both ways before stepping out into the road," Bruce noted. "Reducing your speed gives you the critical seconds you need to react if a child darts into the street."
“Let’s all work together to make sure our students can feel safe and secure arriving at school and going home.”
