During this time of year, the days become shorter, meaning their is less light in the morning and during the evening. Also during this time of year, most schools are in session. A common way for for children and teenagers to get to school is via the school bus. Often children and teenagers wait on the side of the roadways for their bus to arrive. Because of the potential for it to be dark while the children and teens wait for the bus, drivers should use extra caution in the mornings and afternoons while driving through areas where school buses pick up and drop off children.
Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen involving children being struck by school buses. Recently, in Indiana, three children were struck while waiting for their school bus. The children were waiting for the bus around 7:15 am and had begun to board the bus, when they were struck by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. The school bus had put its stop sign down when this occurred.
The vehicle hit four children, three of whom were siblings. Tragically, the three siblings passed away due to the injuries they sustained at the scene of the accident. The fourth child who was hit was transported to the hospital via Flight for Life.
No other students were on the bus at the time of the accident. The driver stayed on the scene following the collision. The driver of the vehicle that struck the children has since been charged with three counts of reckless homicide and passing a school bus causing injury.
It is of the utmost importance to focus our full attention on the roadways and obey all traffic laws. By ensuring that we pay attention to what is going on around us and obey all stop signs, including those on buses, as well as other traffic laws, we can help make the roadways safer for all.