WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBCNC) – When school buses stop, cars are supposed to, as well. This week, five school children were hit by cars and killed while waiting at their bus stop—a boy in Pennsylvania, another in Mississippi, as well as twin boys and their older sister, hit and killed Tuesday in Indiana.
Three other kids hit and seriously hurt in Florida.
While police investigate the details of those tragedies, experts say many drivers are paying more attention to their phones than the road.
Safe Kids Medical Director Dr. Sadiqa Kendi said, “Distracted driving is basically driving with your eyes closed. I think if you asked anyone if they felt it was safe to drive with their eyes closed, they’d say no, that’s not a good idea, but people do it so often.”
Parents can help by going with their children to the bus stop and making sure they get there early.
When kids are rushing, they’re less likely to pay attention to their surroundings.
Dr. Kendi said, “They can also make sure the child knows to stand about three giant steps back from the curb, making sure that they’re back far enough, that they’re safe, away from traffic.”
It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus when it’s stopped with its lights flashing and stop arm extended. But one recent study estimated more than 15 million drivers did just that last school year alone.
Despite these incidents, school buses remain the safest transportation to and from school.
The Safe Kids organization says riding a school bus is 20 times safer than going to school in a car.
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