Inattentive motorists put children at risk.

Armstrong council has been updated on drivers not stopping for school buses as they pick up or drop off students.

“It’s startling how many people don’t stop for buses,” said Coun. Paul Britton.

“It’s a matter of time before some kid gets hurt.”

On Oct. 21, the Association of School Transportation Services of B.C hosts Operation Safe Stop B.C.

The focus of the event is to educate motorists that passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is illegal and dangerous.

“With the increasing number of vehicles sharing the road with school buses, more close calls or near misses are happening every day,” states an ASTSBC release.

“It is important to get the word out.”

When a bus displays yellow lights, it means it’s going to stop so motorists must slow down. Red lights mean students are getting on or off the bus and motorists must stop.

In the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District, about 2,700 students use a school bus every day.

Britton says the City of Armstrong is interested in increasing awareness among motorists and ensuring student safety.

“We work with the RCMP and we ask if some routes are worse than others,” he said.