A recent viral video has sparked widespread concern about driver behavior in school zones. The footage captured a frightening moment when a young girl named Emily, just ten years old, was nearly struck by a vehicle after disembarking from her school bus on October 5th. The incident serves as a crucial reminder for drivers to exercise extreme caution in areas where children are present, particularly near school buses.
In the footage, which quickly gained traction online, Emily was seen chatting with friends after getting off the bus, causing her to miss crossing the street with other students. As she prepared to cross, the bus driver retracted the stop sign and signaled her to proceed, neglecting to ensure the roadway was clear. In a split second, a car sped past the bus, narrowly avoiding a collision with Emily.
This incident highlights multiple failures in protocol. First and foremost, the bus driver should have kept the stop sign extended until all children had safely crossed. Additionally, the young girl should have looked both ways before entering the street. However, the most pressing issue remains the behavior of the driver who failed to reduce speed in the vicinity of a school bus unloading children.
It’s important to note that all parties involved share some responsibility for the close call, but the driver of the moving vehicle posed the greatest risk. In school zones, where children’s lives are at stake, it’s imperative to slow down and remain vigilant.
No charges were filed in this incident, as it was deemed that the driver acted within legal boundaries by passing the bus after the stop lights were deactivated. However, laws vary by location; just because the stop sign is no longer up doesn’t mean it’s safe to pass a bus that is preparing to resume motion. Is a few extra seconds truly too much to wait?
Every day, countless drivers overlook the potential dangers posed by their vehicles. With an average of 44 children struck by vehicles daily, many occurring en route to school, the urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. In my local area, the speed limit around schools is a mere 15 MPH for good reason: protecting children’s lives trumps any need for speed.
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In summary, the alarming near miss involving Emily serves as a critical reminder for all drivers to prioritize safety in school zones. We must do better to protect our children by reducing speed and remaining attentive.