Why is the ESA so effective for student safety on school buses in Ontario?
“We had a problem with a rural route… due to the distance, it encroaches on the oncoming lane, which has almost eliminated high-speed overtaking on that route.” — John Blood, Transportation Supervisor, Parkland School Division
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Why is the ESA so effective for student safety on Ontario school buses?
When a school bus activates its flashing red lights and its stop sign is deployed, any driver approaching the bus is legally required to stop at least five metres away.
Ontario records hundreds of violations each year for failing to stop at school bus stop signs. The problem is clear: the traditional stop sign is no longer sufficient to get drivers’ attention.
That’s why professionals from across Canada are taking action. A significant step forward is the use of CMVTC’s 2-metre (6-foot) extended stop sign on urban and rural roads. Instead of a conventional stop sign that remains relatively close to the side of the bus, the extended stop sign extends much further into the roadway.
The extended stop sign creates a highly visible physical barrier between approaching vehicles and the area where children board or disembark the bus.
Transport Canada explains that the purpose of these longer signs is to create a physical barrier and draw drivers’ attention to remind them to come to a complete stop. They are not intended to replace driver vigilance.
The goal is to provide drivers with a clearer, more visible signal and to offer children added protection.
Every child getting on or off a school bus deserves this extra protection.
The Extended Stop Arm is a simple solution to an important problem: making the school bus stop more visible, clearer, and safer for children. All. Many school boards in Canada have already implemented this solution on their buses, and the immediate benefits are clear, with a reduction in infractions of up to 95%.
Because when a child enters the roadway, there should be no confusion about the drivers’ obligations.
Andres Galarza
ESA CMVTC MJG Technologies
+1 855-926-7233