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Nine-year-old Alivia was a hero. When the truck was coming toward her and her 6-year-old twin brothers as they crossed the street to their school bus in Indiana on Tuesday, October 30, she held their hands and tried to shield them, to no avail. The truck, driven by a 24-year-old woman, was traveling at 60 mph and did not stop for the school bus which had its red lights blinking and stop-sign arm clearly displayed. All three children perished and a third child is hospitalized.

When should vehicles stop for school buses?

The National Safety Council (NSC) says

• Never pass a bus from behind, or from either direction, if you're on an undivided road if it is stopped to load or unload children.
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

According to School Training Solutions, “You must remain stopped as long as the red lights flash or the stop arm is out. The only exception to this is where you are approaching the bus from the opposite direction on a road with at least two lanes in each direction. When overtaking a school bus, you may not pass when red or amber warning lights are flashing.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), once children are on school buses, they are in the safest vehicle on the road. NHTSA says your child is much safer taking a bus to and from school than traveling by car. However, there are avoidable dangers.

“School bus accidents do not need to happen if drivers drive undistracted and pay attention to school bus signals. Children are defenseless as they head to their buses and are no match for vehicles. Should your loved one be injured in a school bus-related accident, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical assistance. We are available 24/7 to assist you and review your case. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers Child Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.