Shut your phone off and put it away while driving. It could save someone’s life.
Recently, in Fulton County, three young children lost their lives while crossing the road to board a school bus. Reports said the bus had all safety warning flashers on and stop arm out. Continuing news reports say it’s a common event for motorists to ignore the flashing warning stop lights on a school bus. This problem has somehow got to stop.
When I was a kid, my school had the Safety Patrol Program. At each stop, a Safety Patrol student with a hand held flag would get off the bus first, and after ensuring that traffic had come to a stop, held the flag out to let students safely cross the road. It’s still an active program (search Safety Patrol on the internet), but I don’t see it in practice anywhere around here. I’ll tell you what I have seen. I’ve seen idiot drivers drive through the school bus safety warning lights.
Near schools around Columbus I see crossing guards at some intersections, usually manned by retired people who volunteer. I say “bravo” to them. Why not take it a step further? Expand their contribution to the community by creating a street crossing guard for each school bus. This person would ride the bus, carry a flag or stop sign, and make sure the children get across the street safely either on the way to or from school. I think a minimum wage, part-time position could even be created, open to any applicants wanting or needing to work. Something for Bartholomew County School Corp. to consider Make our kids safe again.
In closing, I want to repeat my opening statement. Shut your phone off and put it away while driving. It could save someone’s life.
