School Bus Stop Safety
working parent starts the following discussion:
Let me start by saying that this blog is not meant to “down” working parents as I, myself work a 40+ hr week job. BUT as parents we have a responsibility to our children to keep them as safe as possible. With that said……this morning as I was driving to work on Old Dixie and as usual kept a look out for children awaiting the bus. Fortunately I pay attention because as I was approaching what appears to be a bus stop a child no more than 4-5 was fighting his way out of the control of a 8-9 yr old child who was holding the hood of his jacket. He managed to escape by shedding his jacket and made it about 1foot on the pavement before being snatched by another 8-9 yr old child. This fight continued for another 30 seconds or so while myself and another vehicle sat in the middle of the road HOPING that the bus would hurry up before this child became a statistic. Fortunately the bus arrived and the children were whisked off to school. What I should have done was stop and wait with the kids until the bus arrived so that I could warn the bus driver who MAY be able to speak with a parent but I was so appalled at what had just taken place and relieved that the bus was stopping that it became an afterthought. NOW for my issue, I understand that parents are busy and can’t always wait with their children at the bus stop (I myself leave my children home in the mornings BUT the oldest is 15 and I live in an area where there is NO traffic and my neighbor stays outside until the bus arrives with her children and my 4 children) but let’s be realistic……………..OLD DIXIE highway is a race way in the mornings and for children of that age to be that close to the road ALONE in the pre-dawn hours is careless. I fully understand that some children are much more responsible at a younger age but not responsible enough to be watching over a child that is that young and naturally energetic.
I know one thing, I hope and pray that this is just a working parent that hasn't thought this situation through and not a lazy parent that won't get up off the couch or out of the bed to ensure the safety of their children.
This situation bothered me all day - - - Am I wrong for having these feelings?
Let me start by saying that this blog is not meant to “down” working parents as I, myself work a 40+ hr week job. BUT as parents we have a responsibility to our children to keep them as safe as possible. With that said……this morning as I was driving to work on Old Dixie and as usual kept a look out for children awaiting the bus. Fortunately I pay attention because as I was approaching what appears to be a bus stop a child no more than 4-5 was fighting his way out of the control of a 8-9 yr old child who was holding the hood of his jacket. He managed to escape by shedding his jacket and made it about 1foot on the pavement before being snatched by another 8-9 yr old child. This fight continued for another 30 seconds or so while myself and another vehicle sat in the middle of the road HOPING that the bus would hurry up before this child became a statistic. Fortunately the bus arrived and the children were whisked off to school. What I should have done was stop and wait with the kids until the bus arrived so that I could warn the bus driver who MAY be able to speak with a parent but I was so appalled at what had just taken place and relieved that the bus was stopping that it became an afterthought. NOW for my issue, I understand that parents are busy and can’t always wait with their children at the bus stop (I myself leave my children home in the mornings BUT the oldest is 15 and I live in an area where there is NO traffic and my neighbor stays outside until the bus arrives with her children and my 4 children) but let’s be realistic……………..OLD DIXIE highway is a race way in the mornings and for children of that age to be that close to the road ALONE in the pre-dawn hours is careless. I fully understand that some children are much more responsible at a younger age but not responsible enough to be watching over a child that is that young and naturally energetic.
I know one thing, I hope and pray that this is just a working parent that hasn't thought this situation through and not a lazy parent that won't get up off the couch or out of the bed to ensure the safety of their children.
This situation bothered me all day - - - Am I wrong for having these feelings?
No you are not wrong at all, it just shows you are just a person that cares. There are parents that don't care and shut off the parent side as soon as the door closes, but it takes a village to raise a child and it wouldn't hurt for someone in the neighborhood to be out there. The possible problem with that is htey really have no control because the kids are not going to listen because they have no respect. They have no respect because the parent didn't teach it to them. If that neighbor was to say something to a child like that, the parent would loose it and act like a baffoon. Maybe the school board should have a trained volunteer crossing guard-type group supported by the school board and with authority of the school board to be at high traffic areas like that to keep the students at the stop acting within reason and to deter speeders. Maybe the PPD should run radar and write tickets in these areas during that short time period. I know they probably couldn't do it all the time, but if they did it as often as they could it would help. If all the officers are busy, maybe the chief and some of the command staff and such could be out there. Not stabbing at them at all because of the two law enforcement agencies we got, the PPD actually works to do the job the best they can, but there are drivers out there that just don't give a rat's a-- about no one.
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I got an idea, lets get the school board to assign someone to each bus stop in Taylor County. I mean it's only the third largest land mass area in the United States. Can't cost to much in the trying times with their budget. Look be real Speakout, what you suggest is ridiculous, maybe the School Board ought to start assigning someone to move into everyones home in Taylor County and raise the kids.
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Way to pay attention to what I said there Anonymous. I said "volunteer". Volunteer means no cost, and of course it is a ridiculous idea because there is not enough people that care enough to take time to volunteer in the dangerous, high-traffic areas for it even to become a realization. Just so you don't miss it, I am speaking of only a few stops, not every stop in the county so you be real and use your head before you post. I am not even going to comment on the assigning someone for every home because that comment is what is ridiculous. I am just talking about the safety of the children at those stops because of inconsiderate drivers, not policing the home. How about joining the discussion instead of going off the cuff.
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You obvisously do not have children or have much regard for children. I dont think they were saying at every stop - I think targeting problem areas is the point that was trying to be made here. And true...it is not feasible because there are at least 10 stops on THAT road alone. I dont feel that this is a school board issue until the second that the child steps on the bus because the school cant control everything - especially the parents lack of supervision of their OWN children. Having PD run radar is a wonderful idea but also pointless because the death of a child (or adult for that matter) can occur if the speed limit is as slow as 5 MPH and the vehicle is obeying this speed. YES, the traffic is fast sometimes on that road but the biggest issue is the lack of supervision. I think the word needs to be out there that parents need to make arrangments that keep their children safe to the best of their ability.
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You are absolutely right on all points. My only thing about the PD having more of a presence is that it may make those driving more aware of their surroundings, and might can avoid a situation because they are paying more attention and driving a little slower. But I agree, there is a tremendous lack of supervision and parenting from some.
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I was thinking about what you said and thought of another glitch with having PD (radar or presence alone) is that you have your common folk who just say "Oops, need to watch my speed" and those who become a nervous wreck and only pay attention to the car itself and forget all of the other surroundings which ultimatley would affect the "lookout" of what is ahead (i.e. a child crossing or playing around and getting in the road)
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I only have a small amount of knowledge of Dixie Highway, and non when the children are waiting for the bus. However, we have elected Bummy to protect the citizens of this county, therefore I would like to see him out there assessing the situation.
Perhaps the children can wait at a different spot that would be safer.
If there are several stops along the route could they be combined? Before the PD and radar are launched a study needs to be done. Now doesn't that sound political? I don't mean it that way -- just to insure that the children are safe. Are they getting to the street to early for the bus thereby causing mischief amongst themselves?
I agree with you that a volunteer Mom/Dad needs to be on the scene. Perhaps the parents on that stretch need a good old fashion neighborhood meeting to discuss the issue, and ask for volunteers on a one day a week basis to be there. If parents work. would not an employer allow some leniency for lateness if they knew why?
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I agree 100% about combining bus stops!! When I rode the bus there were "x" amount of bus stops and parents had to get their kids there even when it wasnt convenient. Seems like now it is all about catering to parents who bitch and gripe about having to inconvenience themselves because they have to TAKE their children to the bus stop. I have heard this so much it makes me sick. There are 4 homes with children in my neighborhood and guess what there were FOUR stops 3 of which are less than 200feet apart and the bus driver was stoping all three times. WE as parents decided to meet in the middle and have 1 stop for 2 different reasons *one parent doesnt work and agreed to watch the children AND *before the bus got to the last children (mine) she had stopped twice and we timed it - it took 4 minutes longer to get to them than if there was one stop. NOW four minutes isnt that long but when it is cold or raining it IS a long time.
Volunteer parents are a great idea but you arent gonna see it happen in MANY neighborhoods that need it the most.
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I've seen the kids out on Old Dixie, and agree that it's a problem--I'm just not sure what the solution is. There are a number of side roads; perhaps the stops could be moved there?
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Good idea but I think with the time constraints that are already placed on the bus system you will find that it wouldnt work. MANY of those roads are so narrow and small and many dead end. On top of that issue once again you have parents who will throw a fit because it is not convenient - probably the same parents who have no supervision over the kids that are out there now.
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