A school bus driver has lost his job after he was pulled over - while driving his bus with students on board - and registered a warn range reading during a roadside test.
Huron County OPP stopped the school bus on Clyde Road in Bluevale on Monday around 4:30 p.m. after receiving multiple complaints about erratic driving.
Witnesses reported the bus swerving outside of the marked lane and onto the shoulder of the road while it was driving along Harriston Road.
“People trailing the school bus saw the driver hitting the shoulder, crossing the centre lane,” Const. Jamie Stanley says.
Some of those people tried to pass the bus, but were unable to do so and continued to follow behind, police say.
Ten elementary school students were on board when the bus was pulled over.
Officers say the driver showed signs he had been drinking alcohol. A roadside test was administered and the driver registered in the warn range - just below the legal blood-alcohol limit.
“Based on the witness information, the driver was certainly putting himself in danger (along with) every other motorist on the road and the students in that bus,” says Stanley.
The 50-year-old from Listowel lost his driving privileges for three days and has since also lost his job.
He was working for Elliott Coach Lines, which has a zero-tolerance policy for any type of impaired driving.
In an email statement, company president Angus McKay tells CTV News "As a result of contravening company police, the driver is no longer employed with our company...We are disappointed that this situation has occurred as we take the public trust, and the safety of our passengers, other road users, and our employees very seriously.”
Police say they continue to investigate and charges are still possible.
With files from CTV Kitchener
