Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Back to school: time to take extra care
Now that Manitoba students are back at school, following the rules and using common sense will help to keep them safe.
Remember the school zone rules
Travel slowly and be prepared to stop when children are on or near the road, or when you’re close to a school or playground zone. It’s illegal to pass a moving vehicle in a school zone within 15 minutes of school opening or closing or any time that children are on the grounds.
Watch for the safety patrol
School safety patrollers – identified by their blaze orange vests – play a vital role in directing children across the street. Respect the work they do.
Keep out of no-parking zones
Don’t park or stop in “no parking” areas to drop your children off or pick them up. You might be blocking other vehicles or obstructing the view of children crossing the street. This is especially true at schools located on narrow streets.
If you have small children, it’s better to park properly a little further away and walk them to the door, rather than trying to pull up right in front of the school.
Respect school bus rules
Regardless of your direction of travel, you must stop not less than five metres from the bus when its flashing lights or other warning devices are activated. Remain stopped until the signal is turned off or the bus starts moving.
The only time you don’t have to stop is when you approach from the opposite direction and there is a physical barrier such as a boulevard or median between you and the bus.
When a school bus’ red lights are flashing, it means no passing. Don’t park or stop in the school bus loading zone – keep it clear for buses.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or visit the following sections on this website:
- School Buses in Driving Tips
- School Patrols in Driving Tips
- Watch for School Children in Road Safety
- You can access the 60-Second video on School Buses directly
