They just wanted an extra level of caution to be used around school buses when they introduced this legislation. However, the ticket can be fought like any other charge under the HTA. They'll need the bus driver to testify, if she reported you and you were charged. Given the circumstances, I wouldn't worry too much about it. In the event you do get a ticket, then you need to start worrying about things like whether you want to challenge it or not, getting disclosure, etc.

You mentioned there was a vehicle behind you. Did he stop?

yes the driver behind me did come to a stop, but if i had really slammed on my brakes [and i have amazing brakes] to try to stop before i got near the front of the bus. he would have rear ended me for sure.

b/c i slowed down he was able to slow down behind me and stop. but i would not have been able to slow down and make a complete full stop or i'd be stopped right alongside the bus under the blinking red lights. If I had really slammed on my brakes to stop right away to try and stop before the front end of the bus i would have gotten rear ended. keep in mind it's a 2 way street and me and the bus are heading opposite ways.

Most school bus drivers I ever had were not the most upstanding members of the community. Nice people, but grumpy due to the kids, me included, wanting to get to the end of their route. Not always perfect witnesses.

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http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com

If a ticket is issued, and it goes to court, that's the key point right there.

The circumstances described in this thread really don't make it seem like it was something where the police would even bother laying a charge, but I don't know what standard they use, so...

Something very similar happened to me, in that I was approaching a school bus from the oppossite direction, when she suddenly slowed and put the flashers on, with the stop sign being shown immediately as she came to a stop. It was very close, and I had only started to slow down when I realized that it was too close to be able to stop in front of the bus. There was very little warning and perhaps some confusion on my part as it was totally unexpected in that location ...
This was for pick up of 1 small child across the street waiting in front of a house ... at 4:00
This was a few days ago now (5) ... and I've been worried sick that she could of taken down my license number and the fear that I could recieve a large fine and points on my driving record !!!!

I would hate to have the fine and points on my record after having a clean record without any points/tickets for 40 years ... if she were to decide that I should of been able to stop in that situation ...

Where would I find the exact wording as to when a ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle or the driver, and if points are assessed against the driver that would effect my insurance premiums ??

If you were not stopped at the scene by the police, a charge against the vehicle owner does not have demerit points since they could not identify the driver. It also would not affect your insurance premiums. Failing to stop for a school bus where the owner is charged also does not go on your driver record. You would, in the unlikely event that the driver took down your licence number, be facing a large fine ($490) - but nothing more. The legal part is section 175 of the Highway Traffic Act.

In that situation, no one expects drivers to absolutely demolish the brakes with smoke pouring off the asphalt to try to stop. If you're driving in a reasonable and prudent manner, and you noticed the moment the school bus activated its flashers and were unable to stop in time despite that, you're in the clear.

If, however, the school bus had been stopped for a few seconds, enough so that the children could've started to cross the street or get out of the bus, or that a normal driver should've stopped, you're toast...

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* The above is NOT legal advice. It is an opinion only. By acting on anything I have said, you assume full responsibility for any outcome and its consequences. *
http://www.OntarioTicket.com OR http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com