A recent viral video has sparked a conversation about safety in school zones after a frightening near miss involving a young student. The footage, shared widely online, captures a moment of chaos that unfolded last month when a girl, who had just exited her school bus, almost got hit by a speeding car. The incident serves as a critical reminder for drivers to exercise extreme caution in areas where children are present.
The Incident
On September 29, a ten-year-old named Lily Johnson was crossing the street after stepping off the bus. Engrossed in conversation with her friends, she failed to cross with the rest of the children. Meanwhile, the bus driver prematurely retracted the stop sign and waved her to cross without ensuring the road was clear. At that moment, a car zoomed past the bus, narrowly missing Lily.
This incident highlights several failures: the bus driver shouldn’t have pulled the stop sign back until all children were safely across, and he certainly should have checked for oncoming traffic before waving Lily into the street. Lily, too, should have looked both ways before crossing. However, the most critical point is that the car’s driver failed to slow down in a school zone, putting a child’s life at risk.
Legal Implications and Safety Concerns
While no one was charged—since all actions taken were technically legal—it raises an important question: is the time saved by speeding past a school bus worth the risk? In Canada, where this incident occurred, laws vary by state in the U.S., but regardless of the legalities, caution should always be the priority.
It’s crucial to remember that vehicles can be dangerous, and drivers often forget just how much power they wield behind the wheel. The speed limit in school zones is intentionally low—often just 15 MPH—because every child’s safety outweighs your impatience to speed through. Every day, an average of 44 children are struck while walking, many on their way to school.
Further Reading
For more insights on safe practices, check out this related post here. Remember, waiting an extra moment for a bus to move isn’t going to ruin your day, but rushing could have devastating consequences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this viral video serves as a stark reminder for all drivers: when you see a school bus, slow down and be vigilant, because a child’s life is always more important than your need for speed.