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But more than a third of school-aged children who died in school-related wrecks – 102 children – were walking when they were killed, including school bus strikes, according to the data. Most of the others were in vehicles other than school buses.
There is no indication that the threat to students waiting for school trips is increasing, and security experts say the school bus remains the surest way for a child to get to school. at school.
But this week's tragedies underscore the need for greater vigilance on the part of pedestrians and motorists, who need to be attentive in school bus zones, said Charlie Hood, executive director of the National Association of Directors of Education. student transportation services (NASDPTS).
Children "are the most vulnerable when they are pedestrians," he said.
A model "unfortunately coherent"
This is not unusual. Research shows that motorists regularly drive in front of stopped school buses.
The results of the NASDPTS 'annual survey have fluctuated between 75,000 and 85,000 stray vehicles since 2011, according to what Hood calls a "unfortunately consistent" trend to an apparently "intractable" problem.
"This is not an easy question to solve, if that were the case, the numbers would go down over the years," he said, adding that it's not for lack of # 39; try.
Law enforcement has intensified its public education efforts and the enforcement of speed limits in school zones, he said. And school bus drivers do their part to educate users on ways to safely board and get out.
Countering these efforts, however, could be a distracted driving, because people would take a look at their smartphone while they were driving, he said.
"We do not have data to quantify why this is happening, but we all know we have seen more distracted drivers in recent years," Hood said. "Some people are scrambling to go somewhere and blow up buses, I think a lot of people are just distracted and just do not realize what they're doing."
"A safe and clear way for people to walk"
Pedestrians can also be distracted, which also contributes to wrecked vehicles, said Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Poor infrastructure, careless motorists, distracted motorists and distracted pedestrians all contribute to this dismal toll, Adkins said.
In addition, more people are walking now, a healthy trend that should inspire community leaders to create safer walking spaces, he said.
"Parents and communities across the country now have the courage to learn and prepare a plan," he said. "They need to make sure that there is a safe and clear way for people to walk, ride a bike or go downhill."
Technical solutions, such as sidewalks, traffic lights and pedestrian bridges, help create safe environments in which children can wait for buses, said Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University and injury prevention specialist.
Educational programs in schools that teach children when to cross the streets and what to look for are also essential, Hoffman said. In addition, driving studies and driver's license examinations should help ensure that drivers are aware of the rules on when to stop a school bus.
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