News release

Whistler school zones and school bus safety

February 24, 2026 - Whistler, British Columbia
From: Whistler RCMP

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The Sea to Sky RCMP in Whistler is reminding drivers to take extra care around school buses and school zones as it launches enhanced traffic enforcement operations targeting school zones and school buses offences. 

" Unfortunately, the Whistler RCMP gets regular weekly complaints about people passing school buses or speeding through school zones," said Cst. Antoine Graebling. 

In British Columbia, penalties for passing a school bus under Section 149 of the Motor Vehicle Act are: a $ 368 fine and 3 demerit points.

“The RCMP takes complaints about traffic violations involving school zones and buses very seriously”, said Cst. Graebling, “keeping our children safe is an integral part of keeping our local community safe. Passing a stopped school bus is not just a traffic violation, it is a potentially fatal or life altering choice,” he said. 

Motorists in British Columbia must stop in both directions for a school bus with flashing red lights, staying at least 5 meters away until the lights stop flashing and the bus moves. This is a good time of year for a reminder, said Cst. Graebling, as drivers may start to relax their attention a little as the school year progresses.

Cst. Graebling also emphasized the importance of slowing down in school zones, where children may not be paying the closest attention to traffic. Except for Highway 99, the speed limit in the Resort Municipality of Whistler is always 30 km/hr, the same speed limit as the one in effect in school zones. 

In British Columbia, according to Section 147 of the Motor Vehicle Act speeding in a school zone will result in fines ranging between $196 and $ 253 depending on the speed and 3 demerit points.

The Sea to Sky RCMP-Whistler would like to remind its residents and visitors  that the safety of our children is the responsibility of all. 

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