A recent string of bus stop related fatalities and crashes has raised safety concerns. It started on Tuesday, October 30th in Rochester, Indiana when a 9-year old girl and her twin 6-year old brothers were struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street to board their school bus. On Wednesday, October 31st in Baldwyn, Mississippi a 9-year old boy was struck and killed while crossing the street to board a school bus. Also that day, in Tallahassee, Florida, a 5-year old boy was injured after being struck by a car. On Thursday, November 1st, a 7-year old boy was found dead by his bus driver – an apparent victim of a hit and run while waiting for the school bus. Later on November 1st, in Tampa, Florida, five children and two adults were hospitalized after being struck by a driver while waiting for a school bus.
Knox County Sheriff David Clague says there needs to be stiffer fines along with revocation of licenses for violations. Striking and killing someone at a bus stop can result in involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide charges. “I cannot imagine law enforcement coming to my door saying my child was just hit right out in front of your house and killed,” Clague said. “To see something like that, or to respond to something like that is devastating. That child getting off (the bus) may be your child; (he or she) may be your grandchild – whatever, and I think our reaction is going to be much different.” Clague says violations increase every year and believes distractions are the main cause: texting, talking on cell phones, eating, or other passengers in vehicles. “That big yellow bus should indicate to each one of us that potentially it’s going to stop at some point,” Clague added. “If you’re in a hurry, why are you tailgating? So back off or take a different route. But if you’re following, just know that they are going to be stopping.” He says yes, budgets come into play – but ideally another adult besides the bus driver should be at all stops helping kids cross the street. The first offense for violating a stop arm on a school bus is a 3-month license suspension – a one year suspension for each subsequent violation. When a school bus stops on a four-lane street or highway, on-coming traffic is not required to stop. Clague advises to, at the very least, slow down and use caution – a child could dart out into the street at anytime. He’s says it’s often times the bus driver that will call in a violation, but encourages other motorists to report offenses as well. “Beware of the type of vehicle – the color of it; and ideally, a license plate number.”
