With children settling back into school routines this September, a frightening incident in Michigan is offering a timely reminder to drivers: slow down, stay alert and watch carefully around school buses.
An elementary student was nearly struck by a passing car while getting off a Bedford Public Schools bus on Douglas Road in Bedford Township on Sept. 9.
The child was crossing the road in front of the stopped bus when a blue Chevrolet Malibu drove past, despite the bus having its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
A Routine School Stop Turns Frightening
The bus was stopped on Douglas Road at around 4:05 p.m., allowing the student to get off and begin crossing the roadway.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the approaching Malibu did not slow down before passing the bus. The vehicle came within inches of the child.
Thankfully, the student and bus driver both noticed the approaching car before the child had completely crossed the road. It was a split-second moment that could have had a very different and disastrous outcome.
The Driver Was Tracked Down
Surveillance footage from the school bus captured information about the vehicle, including its license plate.
Deputy Brian Rachuba, a School Resource Officer assigned to Bedford Public Schools, investigated the incident and located the vehicle and its 19-year-old driver from Toledo, Ohio.
FLOCK cameras in Bedford Township and Toledo also helped confirm the vehicle’s information and its presence in the area around the time of the incident.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office is being asked to consider a reckless driving charge.
A Reminder To Keep Children Safe
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers that flashing red lights on a school bus mean traffic must stop at least 20 feet away.
Drivers in Michigan who illegally pass a stopped school bus can face serious penalties. A violation can result in a civil infraction and a fine of up to $500. If someone is injured, the penalties can increase to a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in prison. A violation resulting in death can carry felony penalties of up to $7,500 and 15 years in prison.
But beyond the penalties, the incident on Douglas Road is a reminder of what is at stake.
For parents and children, the return to school brings familiar routines. School buses stop along neighborhood streets, children cross roads after getting off, and drivers share the roads with young pedestrians making their way home.
That makes September an important time for motorists to pay closer attention. Drivers should expect school buses to stop frequently and should never assume a child will remain on the side of the road. A child getting off a bus may need to cross the roadway, making it especially important for approaching drivers to be prepared to stop.
A few extra seconds of attention can make the difference between an ordinary school-day journey home and a tragedy.