School Buses are Out, It’s Time to Slow Down for Children

We love to drive fast, rip through turns, feel the forces of nature as we see how well the tires can stick to the pavement, and have a lot of fun on the road. All of this fun and exhilaration that can be enjoyed from behind the wheel can be gone in a flash when in an accident. Worse yet, is being in an accident with people that don’t have the benefit of a vehicle to protect them. This has taken place many times over during the past couple of weeks with school bus stops and we need to take a moment to slow down.

Too Many School Bus Accidents Recently

Recently, we’ve had accidents at school bus stops in five states, all in the same week. These accidents have resulted in the deaths of five children while injuring seven others. Most notable was the accident in Rochester, IN in which three siblings died and another child was airlifted to a hospital. Another child was killed in Mississippi while another survived a crash in Florida. In Pennsylvania, a boy was found dead at his bust stop by the bus driver and he was the victim of a hit and run. Again in Florida, a car struck two adults and three children, all of which, luckily, survived.

it’s Your Fault

While most of us will never hit a pedestrian, let alone a child at a school bus stop, this pandemic is ridiculous. School buses look the same as they have for several decades. They are large, yellow, and slow. There are bright flashing orange lights that tell you the bus is slowing and will eventually stop. When the bus is stopped, there are red flashing lights a stop sight that’ out, and even a bumper arm that gives kids a clear area to walk to enter the bus. Why are we having so many accidents? Because we drive distracted.

Are You a Distracted Driver?

Unless you drive with your phone off, the radio off, no food or drink, with both hands on the wheel, and your eyes and attention fully engaged on the road at all times, you are a distracted driver. The new safety systems we have in place in our newer vehicles actually allow us to drive safer while being distracted, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. It’s important that you minimize the distractions when you drive and pay closer attention to what’s going on.

Are you a Selfish Driver?

Do you leave yourself a few extra minutes in case your drive is blocked or there’s an accident? Are you on your phone or in such a hurry that you can’t wait a few seconds for things to open up on the road when you drive? Recently, there have been stories shared of people honking at a school bus that’s stopped and bus drivers that block the entire road when loading and unloading children. Those who are honking, need to be more patient while children load and unload.

A Future Halted

Let’s think about this for a second. The children that have lost their lives in accidents that absolutely needed to be avoided have had their futures halted. They won’t ever get to be adults and offer what they can to the world. The parents of those children sent them to the bus stop thinking they would be safe and protected, only to have someone mow them down in a car or truck. These are senseless accidents that should have been avoided and we all need to slow down and keep kids safe while being aware of the world around us when we drive.

Tips from the NHTSA

Tips for Motorists:

• Be alert and slow down when driving in neighborhoods with school zones.
• Watch for children walking, playing or assembling near bus stops. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Obey the school bus laws in your State, as well as the “flashing signal light system” used for school buses. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Tips for caregivers and students:

• Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Stand at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb. The bus stop is not a place to run or play.
• When the school bus arrives, wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before approaching the bus door. Use the handrails to avoid falling.
• Never walk behind a school bus. Walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street. Cross the street in front of the bus with at least five giant steps (10 feet) between the front of the bus and you. Make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see you.
• If you drop something near the school bus, like a ball or book, tell the bus driver right away. Do not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see you.