BARRHEAD - A young Barrhead woman is a little bit poorer.
Justice C.D. Gardner sentenced Ella Nordin, 20, to a lesser fine of $240 as part of a joint submission between duty council Nicole Ashlee Kirby and the Crown after she pleaded guilty to failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights during a July 12 Barrhead Court of Justice system.
Specifically, Crown prosecutor Andrea Melchionna said the school bus in question had its control arm extended with a stop sign, adding Nordin was travelling in the opposite direction.
Under Section 72(1) of the Use of Highways and Rules of the Road Regulations, the offence for passing a school bus with red flashing lights activated is $567. The offence also carries six demerit points. If Nordin does not pay the fine, she risks two days in jail.
School bus fly-bys have been an issue in the Barrhead region in the last two to three years.
Although the Crown did not specify when or where the offence occurred, during a virtual Town Hall hosted by the Barrhead RCMP in the fall, police stated that a school bus stop about 10 kilometres south of Barrhead on Highway 33 was particularly problematic, as they received multiple complaints. Recent quarterly RCMP updates to the Barrhead municipal councils, acting detachment commander Cpl. Filipe Vicente said he had enlisted their community peace officers to help police the issue.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com