Loading and Unloading Procedures:

Before stopping the bus to either load or unload, the driver must turn on the upper alternating red signal lights. The school bus driver normally stops the bus in the middle of the traffic lane. When the bus has stopped, the driver must extend the school bus stop arm. For passengers who are getting on or off the bus, the bus must remain stopped with the lights flashing and the stop arm extended until all passengers who must cross the roadway have completed crossing.
This is mandated by the Highway Traffic Act and this procedure has been found to provide children who are entering or leaving the school bus with the greatest level of protection. The law applies everywhere, regardless of the posted speed limit or the type of highway. The only exception is on highways which are separated by a median strip.
On some two- lane roads where traffic may be backed up by the school bus, some school bus drivers have pulled off the road to facilitate the pick up and discharge of school vehicle passengers. THIS COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF ALL ROAD USERS. Motorists approaching the school bus do not know whether or not children are entering or leaving the bus, and therefore do not know whether they are responsible for stopping for the bus.
When determining appropriate school bus stops, certain factors need to be taken into consideration:
* Passengers should not be loaded or unloaded on a steep grade or on a curve. There should be a clear view of the road in each direction for at least 150 m. (500 feet).
* if the driver needs to stop near an intersection with traffic signal lights and use the red flashing lights and stop arm, the stop should be made at least 60 m from the intersection.
* if this is not possible, and if children must board or leave the bus at traffic signal lights, the driver must not activate the upper alternating red flashing lights and stop arm on the school bus. The stop should be made as close as possible to the intersection, close to the curb or the edge of the roadway. The passengers must be cautioned to obey the traffic signal lights. This is not advisable in route planning
* The school bus must stop on the travelled portion of the roadway and not the shoulder to load and unload passengers.
New Law:
The Highway Traffic Act has been amended to require that school buses stop at all railway crossings, whether the crossing is protected by gates or railway signal lights. The driver must stop the vehicle not less than 5 meters from the nearest rail of the railway; look in both directions along the railway track; open a door of the vehicle and listen to determine if a train is approaching; and, when it is safe to do so, cross the railway track in a gear that will not need to be changed while crossing the track. The driver must not change gears when the bus is actually crossing the tracks. The flashing lights and stop arm must not be activated.