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Received DC Office March 9/16

March 24, 2016 CA-2

March 24, 2016 CA-2

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT

Office of: the Chair

October 13, 2015

The Honourable Premier of Box 9041 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E1 Email: [email protected]

The Honourable The Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure PO Box 9044 STN PROV GOVT PO Box 9055 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

The Honourable Minister of Education and MLA, PO Box 9045 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Email: [email protected]

Dear Premier Clark and Ministers,

Re: Motor Vehicle Act Section 149 – Failure to Stop for School Bus

At its September 3, 2015 regular meeting the Peace River Regional District Board considered Section 149 of the Motor Vehicle Act and resolved:

“That a letter be forwarded to the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of BC, the Honourable Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice, the Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Mike Bernier, Minister of Education, Mr. , MLA - , the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles and Cindy Dettling, Safe Stop Coordinator, in support of an increase in fines and penalties for motorists failing to stop for a school bus.”

Please accept this letter on behalf of the Peace River Regional District Board in support of an increase in fines and penalties for motorists failing to stop for a school bus. We would respectfully ask that, as a proactive step towards the ongoing safety of school bus passengers, the current fine of $167 plus 3 points for failing to stop for a school bus be increased to further reflect the severity of the infraction. The fine needs to be significantly increased to give BC drivers cause to reflect on the personal safety of the children involved, as well as the financial impact for offenders who choose to disregard the law.

PLEASE REPLY TO: X BOX 810, , BC VIG 4H8 TELEPHONE: (250) 784-3200 or (800) 670-7773 FAX: (250) 784-3201 EMAIL: [email protected]

9505 100 STREET, FORT ST. JOHN, BC V1J 4N4 TELEPHONE:March (250) 24, 785 2016-8084 Fax: (250) 785-1125 EMAIL: [email protected]

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The current fine for failing to stop for a school bus in BC is $167 plus 3 points, far less than the fine for driving without due care which is $368 plus 6 points. Less even, than the Province of Alberta fine for failing to stop for a school bus, which is $543 plus 6 points. The amount of the fine should reflect the severity of the offence. Those who endanger the lives of children by failing to stop for a school bus should face the same significant fines, penalties, and potential vehicle impoundment as those who exceed the speed limit.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration of the Board’s request.

Yours truly,

Lori Ackerman, Chair cc: Mr. Pat Pimm, MLA – Peace River North, Email: [email protected] Superintendent of Motor Vehicles – RoadSafety BC, Email: [email protected] Cindy Dettling – Safe Stop Coordinator, Email: [email protected]

March 24, 2016