School Is Back, So Are They

It IS your job.

Hey folks,

Just one week. Well, here in Florida, and many parts around the country, School is back in session. That means THEY'RE BACK! The kids I mean. All ages. All walks of life. From 5 to 18. There they are. Standing. Waiting. Running. Walking. Playing. Sitting. Riding the Bus.

As many of you know, this is my Son's first year to ride the Bus. The first day was great. He gave me a hug, said "Love you Daddy. See ya." Got on, and away they went. It really didn't sink in that School was back in session, even with all the prep we did, until I went to go somewhere at 8 in the morning, on Thursday. I came around a corner and there she was. About 16, all dressed up for School, Backpack. Walking down the middle of the street. I was driving careful, so I saw her in plenty of time. I moved over as far as I could. She stepped aside a bit. She smiled and I smiled back. Life went on. However?

Police said there have been 39 accidents involving school bus traffic control violations during the past five years. This resulted in 15 injuries, including one that involved a child who was getting off a school bus at the time.

Just one school district. Here is another Headline.

KMOV - Bus involved in accident near Alton High School

(KMOV)- A school bus with children aboard wrecked near Alton High School Friday after school.

Children were on the bus at the time of the accident, but police said the accident was minor and have not reported any serious injuries. No further details have been released yet.

And another?

Rockford Register Star - Drivers urged to be vigilant after 2 unrelated bus accidents

CHERRY VALLEY — One person died Thursday morning and four children were taken to the hospital in two separate crashes involving Rockford School District buses.

About 7:15 a.m., police said, 74-year-old Betty Lawson was killed after the vehicle she was in slammed into the back of a bus that was stopped in the 4900 block of Rotary Road. The driver of the vehicle was flown via Lifeline to a hospital with unknown injuries.

Folks, School is back in session and we need to ensure that our Children arrive and return from School safely. From School Buses, that we all know make frequent stops, to approaching or leaving the Bus. Simply put, it IS your job. Here are some tips.

Obviously, when driving in Neighborhoods, watch out for Children who are thinking about getting to the Bus, but may not be thinking of getting there safely. Some may not even be awake yet.

When backing out of a driveway, pulling into or out of parking lots, watch out for Children walking or bicycling to School.

Slow down! Slow down! Slow down! Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and congregating near Bus Stops. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

The YELLOW lights mean that the Bush is getting ready to stop. The RED? Not only does that mean the Bus stopped. But also that the door is open. Kids are about to get on or off, and there is no way of knowing, which way they are going. STOP!

Just be careful out there folks. Be extra careful. Just ask yourself, would you be able to live with yourself? Would you? If you take the life of a Child, because of carelessness or lack of caution on your part? Would you be able to face their grieving Parents? Is it worth the 5 minutes lateness to work? Is it worth ANYTHING? Think about it.
Peter

Sources:
KMOV - Bus involved in accident near Alton High School
Ottawa Citizen - Ottawa police shift focus to school bus and school zone safety
Rockford Register Star - Drivers urged to be vigilant after 2 unrelated bus accidents