A new campaign to warn drivers about the dangers of failing to stop for a school bus has been launched by the family of a boy that was tragically killed almost 19 years ago.

Back in February 2000, 5-year-old Adam Ranger lost his lifeon his way home from school after he got out of a school bus.

A driver failed to stop for the bus and hit the young boy.

Following that heartbreaking day, the Let’s Remember Adam campaign was launched to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of passing a stopped school bus.

The Ranger family, including Adam’s brother Pierre, has started up a new awareness campaign titled ‘This has to stop. We need to stop!’

It is an initiative that is meant to educate drivers in the province about the dangers of not stopping for the flashing red lights and stop arms on school buses and the risk it poses to children every day.

Failing to stop for a school bus with its warning systems activated is a provincial offence.

Ontario Provincial Police say vehicles approaching a stopped bus shall stop before reaching it and shall not proceed until it moves or the signal-lights have stopped flashing.

Motorists should also be prepared to yield to student pedestrians.

You could face up to a $2,000 fine and receive six demerit points for a first time offence, which will greatly affect the cost of your auto insurance.  Any subsequent offences the fines increase up to $4,000 with possibly up to six months in jail.

OPP also say vehicle owners may also be charged even if they weren’t driving at the time of the offence.

Police say drivers should:

  • Take extra care when driving by parked cars.
  • Be aware of school zones and reduce your speed.
  • Travel through intersections slowly.
  • Be patient as children cross the road.
  • Obey crossing guard instructions.
  • Make eye contact with children wanting to cross at an intersection.
  • Obey all bus signals and never try to pass when they are stopped.
  • Give yourself extra travel time.

When crossing the road, students are encouraged to:

  • Look both ways before crossing.
  • Be aware of traffic by looking and listening.
  • Walk, don't run.
  • When possible, cross at a location where there is a crossing guard, or with a parent or a buddy.

Tonight on CTV News at 5, Tony Ryma talks to Adam's brother Pierre about the campaign. Catch the interview on air and online here.