Lisa McFarland knows all too well about the growing problem of distracted driving.
As a school bus driver for the past 20 years, it is something she sees every day.
“I’ve seen cars drive right through our lights, completely distracted, and never even knew what they did,” she said.
McFarland is taking part in a new distracted driving awareness campaign launched by the Saint John Police Force this week.
As part of the campaign, launched Monday, police are now taking a “zero tolerance” approach when it comes to enforcing the issue.
McFarland, who works for the Anglophone South School District, said she has witnessed a few close calls during her career.
“We see cars coming at us … and I’m praying to goodness that they stop. Their heads are down, they’re texting, they’re coming right at us, and the only thing that I can do to keep that student safe is to hit the horn. Hopefully, they’ll jump back,” she said.
“I’ll tell you, that gets right to your heart. It’s always in the back of your mind. Every school bus driver out there, that’s their biggest fear.”
McFarland said students and bus drivers do their part to ensure safety, and she wants other drivers to do the same.
She has one key message for drivers who are thinking about using their phone while driving.
“Put down the cell and save a life. That’s from the bottom of my heart.”
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