One local driver received an expensive reminder never to pass a stopped school bus.

Last week Winkler police learned a driver had passed a stopped school bus while the stop sign was displayed and the red lights were flashing. The registered owner of the vehicle was issued a ticket which carried a $672 fine.

Angela Plett is the Transportation Supervisor for Garden Valley School Division. She spoke to PembinaValleyOnline during School Bus Safety Week last October. Plett says people passing busses is a constant concern, even with the busses flashing lights and extending stop signs.

However, modern school buses are equipped with cameras allowing the bus driver to flag drivers who pass illegally and screenshot the licence plate number to send to police.

"If you see the amber lights flashing that means the bus is going to come to a stop. Don't assume it's just pretending," she says. "When it comes to a stop the red lights will go on and you are required by law to come to a full-stop within five metres of the bus."