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Opinion: Best to err on the side of caution for student safety

A school bus that slid into a ditch in nearby Oxford County during last week’s freezing rain event again begs the question: Why wasn’t bus transportation cancelled that day when it was clear that ice was going to be an issue?

A school bus that slid into a ditch in nearby Oxford County during last week’s freezing rain event again begs the question: Why wasn’t bus transportation cancelled that day when it was clear that ice was going to be an issue? 

Deciding whether to cancel school on days of inclement weather can be a tricky process. It’s more than simply looking out a window and making the call based on what’s observed at that moment. There are several elements at play. Often, it’s a gamble, but it’s best to err on the side of caution. 

Opinion: Best to err on the side of caution for student safety Back to video

Grand Erie district schools were closed Wednesday and Thursday due to icy roads or those expected to become slippery during the course of the day. Closures weren’t ordered in Oxford where the bus collision occurred.  

I travelled to Guelph on both freezing rain days (out of necessity) and found the roads were no better in one district than the other. Salt spread on one curve was so thick that the crackling sound it made under my tires drowned out the music playing on my radio. 

The consequences from the bus that slid off the road were that four of the 40 students on board were taken to hospital. It was likely no fault of the driver, but she never should have had to transport these kids to school that day in the first place. There were, fortunately, no fatalities or serious injuries, but 40 students and an operator were shaken up, not to mention the nerves of the kids’ parents. 

It was reported that news of the school cancellations in Norfolk, Haldimand and Brant ruffled the feathers among some local parents who vented their frustrations on social media about having to arrange for childcare or having to take the day off from work to look after their children.  

It’s the winter season and weather is bound to be nasty at times. Some winters may be uneventful, without a single day of cancelled classes. In other years – such as the winter of 2025-2026 – extreme weather can take its toll. This winter has already seen six snow days. 

Paying closer attention to the forecast can help mitigate the inconvenience of scrambling to find childcare at the last minute or having to miss a day from work. If freezing rain or excessive snow is predicted 48 or 72 hours beforehand, potentially creating the right circumstances for a snow day, it’s probably in the best interests of parents to make “just-in-case” arrangements in advance, rather than leaving things until it’s too late. 

Not all schools are in the heart of residential neighbourhoods and within walking distance for most students. In outlying areas, most students depend on bus transportation. Speed limits on many of these roads are posted at 80 kilometres per hour. Getting to school safe and sound is the primary concern during bad weather days. 

The good news is that winter’s days are numbered, and spring is just around the corner. This has been an especially nasty winter, but we must expect the unexpected at this time of year.  

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