William Dale – Local Journalism Initiative
Published online September 9, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
PONTIAC – Every school day, dedicated bus drivers across the Pontiac ensure that local students arrive safely to and from class. Navigating rural concession roads, early morning fog, and heavy commuter traffic on highways, means drivers carry a significant responsibility to keep their passengers safe.
With the new school year underway, local transport officials and safety trainers are reminding parents, motorists, and students across Western Quebec that school bus safety requires community-wide vigilance.
According to Deborah-Lynn Beauchamp, Health and Safety Representative and bus safety trainer with Lasalle Bus Lines, early safety education is a top priority for young children.
Before students step onto the bus, proper safety practices begin at the roadside. Parents are encouraged to have children arrive at their designated stop early to avoid rushing.
To maintain clear visibility for drivers—especially near roadside snowbanks or parked vehicles—students are taught to stand ten big steps back from the edge of the road.
Understanding blind spots surrounding the vehicle is another critical component of local bus safety presentations. Children are taught the “bird wing” rule—flapping their arms outward to ensure they stay far enough from the sides of the bus that they cannot make physical contact.
“If they drop something, we tell them to tell the teacher or the driver, not to bend down and pick it up until we are aware,” Beauchamp emphasized.
Local safety officials stress that motorists share an equal burden in keeping school children safe. Drivers approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended must come to a complete stop—whether approaching from the front or behind—and maintain a safe distance.
“Please be vigilant as drivers,” Beauchamp urged. “Many students—especially first-years—are anxious or excited to get on the bus, and they could lose their focus. As adults, we must ensure their safety”
Smart Tips for School Bus Safety
Parents are encouraged to review these essential safety guidelines with their children:
• At the Bus Stop: Head to the stop early without running. Wait calmly at least ten big steps back from the edge of the road.
• Boarding Safely: Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching. Use the handrail, avoid pushing, and move directly to a seat.
• During the Ride: Remain seated, keep backpacks on your lap or under the seat, and avoid loud noises or actions that could distract the driver.
• Exiting & Crossing: Step off in a single file while holding the handrail. Take two big
steps away from the bus immediately upon exiting. If crossing the road, walk ten big steps ahead of the bus, make eye contact with the driver, wait for their signal, and look both ways before crossing quickly.
• Dropped Items: Never bend down to pick up a dropped item near or under the bus. Inform the bus driver or an adult immediately.
Photo: Autobus LaSalle driver John Walsh stands outside his bus in preparation for his route, as local drivers across the Pontiac prepare for the start of another school year. Transport officials and safety trainers are reminding motorists to exercise extra caution and watch for flashing amber and red lights around school buses on regional roads.
