Max fine boosted to $1,200 for passing school buses, speeding in school, construction zones

The Newfoundland and Labrador governmentannounced Tuesday the Highway Traffic Act will be amended to bring in higher fines for drivers who pass school buses stopped with red lights flashing.

In addition, there will be enhanced enforcement for vehicles illegally passing school buses, as well as speeding in school and construction zones.

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"These amendments will strengthen enforcement of speed limits in school and construction zones, and better protect children getting on and off school buses," said Service NL Minister Eddie Joyce in a statement.

With the amendments, a charge can now be brought against the registered owner of a vehicle caught breaking the lawseven if the driver can't be positively identified.

A fine for passing a school bus stopped with its red lights flashing will increase from a range of $100 to $400 to a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $1,200.

Registered owners will have two separate defences, if they can prove the vehicle was driven without their consent or the owner was the registered owner at the time of the incident, but not "entitled to possession of the vehicle," like a car rental company.

Demerit points will not be applied in these cases.

The amendments will take effect 60 days following its passing in the House of Assembly.

The province said this is a practice used in other jurisdictions across Canada.