On April 10, 2018, at approximately 3:26 p.m., officers from the Mattawa and North Bay Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a traffic complaint regarding two vehicles that did not stop for a school bus on Highway 17 in Papineau-Cameron Township, Ontario, east of Mattawa.

Two children were about to exit the stopped school bus, that had its flashing lights activated, when two vehicles drove past it.

Both vehicles were located a short time later on Highway 17. Genevieve CARRE, age 31, of Sudbury, Ontario, and Duncan McDONNELL, age 26, of Calgary, Ontario, were both charged with Fail to Stop for School Bus – Meeting contrary to section 175(11) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).

Section 175(11) HTA states that: Every driver or street car operator, when meeting on a highway, other than a highway with a median strip, a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing. The driver faces a set fine of $400.00 with a $90.00 victim fine surcharge, totaling $490.00 and 6 demerit points. 

In other words, vehicles must stop when the bus is completely stopped and the overhead red signal-lights flashing. The stop arm does not have to be extended. 

This incident occurred very close to the location where Adam RANGER was hit by a vehicle and killed, while crossing the highway after exiting from a school bus, 18 years ago.

All buses in Mattawa that drive on Highway 17 are equipped with dash cameras to assist drivers and officers with evidentiary information to support charges.

The North Bay OPP is working with the Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Service (NPSSTS) to ensure safety at this location for the children crossing the highway.