08/19/2026
Please remember:
City buses do not extend signs or use flashing red lights. It is still necessary and critical to slow down and watch for children entering or exiting the bus.
School buses have several large DANGER ZONES where visibility is limited. These areas which require extra caution include: directly behind the bus, along the curbside, beside the bus on the traffic side where oncoming and passing vehicles may be present, and the walking areas students use while boarding or exiting (path from bus door to curb and crossing in front of bus).
Rural buses use stop signs and red flashing lights while picking up and dropping off students. It is illegal to pass a stopped bus using its stop sign and red flashing lights from either way on the road or highway.
An infraction is often reported by other drivers or can be caught on camera. An offender faces a risk of being fined up to $567 plus 6 demerits.
When a school bus stops to pick up or drop off students, children trust that the bus's flashing lights and stop sign will keep them safe. However, children can be unpredictable and may suddenly run onto the road without looking. Always stop for a school bus when required and remain alert for students crossing the street or walking near the bus.
⚠️ Camrose RCMP RAVE Alert - Passing School Buses
Camrose RCMP has received close to 20 complaints in the last 3 months of drivers passing school buses while they were dropping off students. Most of these complaints occurred along primary and secondary highways in the county with drivers who approached the bus from the oncoming direction. This is against the law - regardless of the direction of the bus.
We are urging drivers to exercise patience and stay informed on the proper procedure to follow when encountering a school bus, namely:
👉 When a school bus is stopped with flashing red lights and stop sign operating, drivers from both directions are required to stop. You cannot proceed until the lights are off and it is safe and permitted to do so.
👉 When you encounter a school bus with flashing amber lights, the bus is preparing to stop – you must slow down and only pass if it is safe and permitted to do so.
The penalty for passing a school bus varies between $486 and $567. With the cooperation of the Battle River School Division, we have been issuing tickets in the mail to the registered owners of the offending vehicles.
Stay safe, stay patient, and keep our youths in mind!
Cst. Nathaniel Sande
Camrose RCMP
