Use caution around buses

Published 11:04 pm Saturday, August 11, 2012

It is never too late for a reminder.

Now that school is back in session for all of the schools in Warren County, we implore drivers to be cautious, especially around school buses. Few things can sully a school year faster than a tragic event.

In Jones County in 2009, 5-year-old Nathan Key was run down by a 20-year-old man passing a school bus with red lights flashing. The man, Dominic Gebben, received a 20-year prison sentence. The death led to the creation of Nathan’s Law.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

The bill clarifies the offense of passing a stopped school bus, increases the fines for offenses, prohibits the use of a wireless device such as a cell-phone in school crossings without hands-free accessories and prohibits bus drivers from using such devices. It also requires education campaigns on school bus safety.

The law’s teeth are harsh enough to send a message. But we wish it wouldn’t have had to come to passing new laws. We wish all drivers were cautious and courteous on the road, although that might be dreaming a bit. Common sense and basic rules of the road should be enough to refrain from doing something as dangerous as passing a bus.

Not many people like to get caught behind a school bus. The stops are frequent. What could be more important, though, than the safety of the children getting on board? Certainly not running a few minutes late to work or an appointment.

Please, do not pass a school bus when the lights are flashing. In Jones County, a man made a choice to pass a school bus while it was stopped. A young boy will never realize his future. The driver was given up to 20 years to think about what was so important that it required passing a school bus.

Two families changed forever.

Have a safe and happy school year. Especially safe.