Unintentionally failed to stop for school bus!

As shown above, I (red box) stopped at the stop sign, there was also a school bus (yellow box) at the stop sign with lights flashing. The stop signs on the bus were not facing me, so I thought it would be ok to move now that the yield is with me. So, I did and the bus driver honked a long horn, I stopped next to the driver and explained my logic to her. She was not happy, she said that the fine is $2000 and there is a 6 demerit points and ended her comment with "holy *EDIT*"!. I apologized and left the scene.

I do not think she wrote down my license plate. Does she need to report me in order to get charged or I had to be caught by police? My intention was not to violate the law, it was simply a misjudgement on my part; I do have a perfect clean driving record. I will appreciate any input.

No, you don't have to be caught by the police to be charged. If the bus driver recorded your plate, she can simply forward the information to them.

Typically police charge the registered owner of the vehicle, since it can be difficult to prove who was driving in Court. I believe the set fine is about $490, and there are no demerit points if you're charged as the owner instead of the driver.

Thanks Stanton. If I say I was not the driver, would the court not ask me who was driving?! Am I not obligated to say who was driving the car? Thanks for your time.

^^^^ It's like red light camera tickets.

They can't prove who the drivers was, and they won't ask you.

Respectfully, the school bus driver spoke to me when I pulled next to her and she will be able to identify me in the court of law, how could I deny that I was not the driver? Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

It's very unlikely you'll be charged as the driver. Police rarely have the time to conduct investigations into every car that fails to stop for a school bus. It's much simpler to simply charge the registered owner and more likely to stand up in Court. If the police haven't been knocking at your door, I wouldn't worry too much. Worst case is you (if you're the owner) get a ticket in the mail.

Stanton,

Again I appreciate that you ever so generously take your time to answer my questions. Yes, I am the owner, the good news is that it happened yesterday afternoon, and no one so far has knocked on my door and I hope they don't. Thank again sir.

Oh, by the way I learned today that school buses are not supposed to have their lights flashing while they are right at the "Stop" sign! If this is true, it will then be to my advantage should we go to the court of law.

Saman111 wrote:

Oh, by the way I learned today that school buses are not supposed to have their lights flashing while they are right at the "Stop" sign! If this is true, it will then be to my advantage should we go to the court of law.

I'm not aware of any such requirement in the Highway Traffic Act. Perhaps it might be a policy of a particular bus line, but it would not change your legal requirement to stop for the bus.

It's in there somewhere, but I'm pretty sure it only applies to traffic control signals, not stop signs. I believe the intent is to prevent bus drivers from displaying contradictory signals to drivers (i.e., stiop from bus, green from signal).

EDIT: It's 175 (9):

(9) No person shall actuate the overhead red signal-lights or the stop arm on a school bus,

(a) at an intersection controlled by an operating traffic control signal system;

(b) at any other location controlled by an operating traffic control signal system at,

(i) a sign or roadway marking indicating where the stop is to be made,

(ii) the area immediately before entering the nearest crosswalk, if there is no sign or marking indicating where the stop is to be made, or

(iii) a point not less than five metres before the nearest traffic control signal, if there is no sign, marking or crosswalk; or

(c) within sixty metres from a location referred to in clause (a) or (b). R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 175 (9).

Thanks Squishy and Stanton,

In my case the bus stopped exactly at the stop sign. Having said that, right at the stop sign, there are no marks on the pavement indicating pedestrians can walk or cross. So, does the item (ii) in (b) section apply to my case?! Thank you for your input.

No, because a stop sign is not a traffic control signal system.

Squishy,

Point taken, thank you for your time.

Good news, no one has knocked on my door yet! Do they usually mail the ticket? Should I expect to receive a ticket in mail?

If youre charged as the RO, it will probably be by mail.

Thanks Stanton,

Since the bus driver spoke to me and she was not happy, I think if I am to be charged that would not be as RO! I hope I am right.

I learned a big lesson! Aside from this, I have a perfect driving record, no tickets whatsoever as I respect the law and from the other hand I do not like to get an attitude from some arrogant officers!

I know this post has been awhile. But I have a question, yes, my husband was charged as a registered owner and a set fine of $490 with no demerit points and he's plead not guilty, how much can we lower it to? also, | read on this post that there will be no increase in the insurance, is this for real or this is just an assumption?? thanks

It's up to the discretion of the Crown. I've heard of fines being halved, but there's no guarantee as to the amount.

If you plead guilty or are found guilty, you can also advise the Justice of the Peace during sentencing of any reasons why the fine should be lowered (i.e. some type of financial hardship such as unemployment, etc.). You can also ask for an extended period of time to pay.

As long as your husband was charged as the R.O. and not the actual driver, it will not appear on his abstract and will not impact his insurance.