This release was issued under a previous government.

Traffic Safety Day

Across the province today, students will learn the safest ways to cross the street and ride the school bus. They will also get cycling safety tips at interactive stations featuring traffic safety experts.

“Traffic Safety Day is an important tool to educate children on safe behaviours, no matter how they travel to school. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to expand the program from a single event last year to more than 10 events across Alberta this month and look forward to expanding it more in the coming years.”

Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation

Traffic Safety Day is also an opportunity to remind drivers that they must stop when approaching a school bus with red lights flashing, since students will be getting off the bus and might cross the street. The penalty for passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is a $543 fine and six demerit points. Alternating flashing amber lights mean a school bus is slowing down to stop and drivers should do the same.

Traffic Safety Day facts

  • On average each year in Alberta between 2010 and 2014, more than 230 children under 15 were killed or injured as pedestrians or cyclists.
  • This month there are 11 Traffic Safety Day events being held across the province – in Calgary, Camrose, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lac La Biche, Lethbridge, New Norway, Onoway, Slave Lake, Medicine Hat and Wembley.
  • The most common driver error involving collisions with school buses is following too closely.