Three children narrowly missed getting hit by a vehicle Tuesday morning in Blumenort as they were crossing the highway to board their school bus.

Sara Richards was on her way to work when she saw the vehicle continue past the bus with the children on the road in front of the bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign out. “If it wasn't for the bus driver honking the horn, I don't know how this would have turned out. The children were at the headlights of the bus, so they were almost struck.”

Steinbach RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll says motorists should be aware that when they see a school bus, there are most likely children on it. “Motorists need to be aware that children may have to cross the road because of where they reside and where the school bus stops. Driver's also need to use common sense, if there's a school bus with lights flashing and the arm is out, expect there are children. Driver's should obey traffic rules and stop.”

Sergeant Ryll notes, “there is a 5 meter distance that the driver should be, on either side of the bus whether they are following or approaching the bus.”

“The consequence at the end of it all is a charge for passing a school bus when they are displaying their signals, it's under the Highway Traffic Act. The fine is as much as $673.65 as well as demerits.”

Sergeant Ryll adds, “the school bus division here has a system where you need a witness, a lot of times it's the bus driver that is the witness, unfortunately the bus driver is also trying to ensure the safety of the children that are either getting on or off the bus. If something like this happens you can pretty much count on the fact that maybe their attention is not on the vehicle and trying to obtain a licence plate number.”

“At the end of the day, the licence plate number will help Police find out who is the registered owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver. We realize the bus driver is focused on the safety of the children first and foremost. If there are other witnesses that can bring evidence or support the bus drivers evidence, that's one more thing we can use to prosecute someone under the Highway Traffic Act.”