New technology expected to improve school bus safety
With the return of classes just over three weeks away, back-to-school preparations are underway in northern Ontario, including mapping out bus routes, recruiting drivers and installing some new technology on buses.
In Sudbury, there are some new measures that will take effect this fall involving a new piece of technology to improve school bus safety for students.
All school buses with the Sudbury Student Services Consortium will be equipped with tablets.
"I do think that this will help with the recruitment of bus drivers, with the turn-by-turn directions, with everything right at your fingertips. Able to see the students' names and all the access to information you need, that is definitely a lot of help when it comes to being a bus driver," said Stacie Rowlands, operations and planning manager with Leuschen Transportation.
It's information the driver can access hands-free.
"It helps the driver to know the name of the students as they get on and off so they have a better idea if it's a JK, SK, so they know that a parent must be out there at the end of the road to pick up their child," said Lynne Gelinas, the bus company's branch manager.
Students will be given a QR code to be checked getting on and off the bus and parents can download a free app.
"The notifications will tell them when the bus is approaching, when the bus is leaving their particular stop and when it's dropping off at the school," said Renee Boucher, the executive director of the Sudbury consortium.
As part of a pilot project, some buses will also be equipped with stop arm cameras.
The cameras capture license plate numbers of traffic violators and tag the video evidence with date, time and GPS location.
"We have some motorists that, unfortunately, don't stop for the stop arm. And as children are crossing the road, we want to ensure the safety of every child. So we are starting this with seven school buses, we are working in partnership with the Greater Sudbury police," Boucher said.
Officials with the consortium said Ontario passed legislation in 2020 that allows footage from the stop arm cameras to be used in court.
The Sudbury Student Services Consortium is reminding parents the last day for bus stop changes is Aug. 17. After that, changes won’t be processed until Sept. 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.