The investment in new amber lights technology for Prince Edward Island school buses will increase the safety for all children and create new expectations for all drivers to pay special attention to flashing yellow lights. The flashing amber lights were installed in all buses over the summer months to increase the safety of Island children.
"Flashing amber lights are warning signals which alert drivers to slow down and prepare to stop," said the Honourable Chester Gillan, Minister of Education. "Children's safety is a community responsibility and all of us have a special responsibility to ensure that our children travel to and from school safely."
With the new system, the traditional red lights will continue to flash when the school bus stops to either pick up or drop off children. In addition to this safety mechanism, a new amber light will now flash for a period of time before the red lights flash, to alert drivers that the bus is preparing to stop. When the red lights begin to flash, traffic in either direction must stop.
To children waiting for the bus, the flashing amber lights mean wait. After the red lights begin to flash, children should look in both directions before crossing the street or road to begin to board the bus. Parents and teachers can reinforce the message to students that flashing amber lights mean children should wait.
"I encourage parents to review these important safety steps with their children," said Minister Gillan. "Our children's safety is everyone's business. That is why our government has initiated a public information campaign, leading up to the opening of our schools, to educate drivers and ensure awareness of the new safety system. We are also working in collaboration with school boards, and with both Maritime Electric and Island Tel, to send messages to their customers about the new amber light safety initiative."
Through an investment of $150,000 over 300 schools buses were fitted with the new amber light technology. Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act approving the new amber lights were approved on September 1, 1999.
Minister Gillan stresses that public education is the preferred method to create compliance with the flashing yellow light legislation. "Islanders care about our children and we believe a public education campaign will have more effect than enforcement," says Minister Gillan.
PEI students head back to classes on Tuesday, September 7, 1999.