Since Nov. 8, Cowichan Valley School District bus drivers have recorded 42 incidents of motorists disregarding school bus stop signs and putting school children at risk.
That means in 18 operational school days, at least two a day occurred throughout the district.
The Cowichan Valley School District and Shawnigan Lake RCMP are getting another tool to combat impatient and dangerous drivers after the South Cowichan Community Policing Advisory Society presented the district with 11 new dashboard cameras (dash cams) for south-end school buses.
The South Cowichan Community Policing Advisory Society heard from fellow community members about their safety concerns of children as they wait for, or get off buses, and they stepped in to help ensure their safety. The Society quickly raised the funds and purchased the cameras, ensuring a quick action on community concerns.
“We are very grateful to the South Cowichan Community Policing Advisory Society for this wonderful gift,” said Candace Spilsbury, Chair of the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District. “Ensuring the safety of our learners is a community responsibility, and we are so glad that the Society heard this call and acted so quickly.”
The South Cowichan Community Policing Advisory Society proudly serves the communities in the south Cowichan Valley area. With several large elementary schools and a secondary school, these extra measures will certainly make a difference by helping to provide RCMP with the evidence needed to identify and ticket these dangerous drivers.
“These cameras will support our bus drivers to deal with impatient drivers who continue to put our learners at risk,” said Robyn Gray, Superintendent of the Cowichan Valley School District. “We take the safety of our learners very seriously, and we welcome community partnerships like this that continue to enhance their safety.”
The cameras will be installed on south-end buses over the winter break and will be operational in the new year.