School bus driver fined after child hit while getting off bus

A P.E.I. school bus driver has been fined under the Highway Traffic Act after a six-year-old child was hit while getting off the bus earlier this month.

The boy was not seriously injured in the accident, which happened in Fort Augustus, north of Charlottetown, on Jan. 14. The bus was travelling along Route 21 around 3:30 p.m. and had stopped near the Fort Augustus Community Centre to let students off when the child was hit by a passing vehicle.

"Through our investigation we were able to reveal that the red lights on the bus were not operating at the time the child got off," said RCMP Sgt. Craig Eveleigh.

"The driver of the vehicle didn't have any indication that a child was getting off the bus."

The 67-year-old bus driver was issued a ticket under the Highway Traffic Act for failing to operate the flashing red lights on the bus. The offence carries a fine of $100.

In an emailed statement, the Public Schools Branch said the driver has not driven a bus for the PSB since the incident.

"The Public Schools Branch emphasizes procedure and safety protocol with all of its drivers and travelling students," the email said.

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