Quebec police chiefs calling for increased caution in school zones as accidents rise

MONTREAL — The association representing Quebec’s police chiefs is sounding the alarm that collisions involving children transported by school bus are on the rise, reaching levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, 320 children in the province were involved in collisions related to school transportation — the equivalent of two per day during the school year, the police chiefs told a news conference on Monday.

The total includes collisions with buses and also when children are struck getting on or off a bus, and the 2023 figure represents a sharp rise after declines were recorded between 2020 and 2022 when the pandemic led to some school closures and reduced traffic.

Patrick Bélanger, chief of police in the Montreal suburb of Longueuil, called the rising numbers unacceptable.

“Behind every victim lies irresponsible behaviour,” Bélanger said. “Respecting the Highway Safety Code is not an option, it is an obligation, but above all, it is a collective responsibility.”

As they launched an awareness campaign to curtail dangerous driving, the police chiefs’ association said half the drivers involved in the accidents were aged 25 to 44.

During the event, Laurie Henner, the general manager of school bus operator Autobus Transco, noted that most of the people stopped for infractions in school zones are parents in a hurry.

Bélanger said those parents often feel like they’re in a race against time. “They’re in a hurry, they come to drop them off at school, they’re expected at work, there’s a meeting, a commitment,” he said. “The pressing situation of today’s life … leads to this kind of somewhat irresponsible behaviour.”

The areas reporting the highest number of accidents were the Montérégie — which includes Longueuil — followed by Montreal and Quebec City.

The association said that because of the way the data was gathered, it’s not possible to know the extent of injuries stemming from the accidents. But the trend is worrisome.

“These are not just numbers,” Bélanger said. “These are young victims who were doing what we want, what we ask of them: going to and from school.”

Officials told reporters they would welcome technological solutions such as photo radar or buses equipped with cameras.

Montreal police chief Fady Dagher said before all of that, motorists need to follow three basic guidelines: slow down in school zones, be vigilant near buses and drop-off areas, and follow instructions of school crossing guards.

One bus driver said he sees five to six infractions daily.

“Every day, I see drivers who don’t respect the rules of the road. They go past the stop sign (on the side of the bus) when they normally have to stay five metres behind,” said Mohamed Elrhoul, a bus driver with Groupe Séguin. “They see the sign, but it’s nothing in front of them. Sometimes we get insults.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2025.

Pierre Saint-Arnaud, The Canadian Press