In checking the dates I found that two were on Saturdays, one on Memorial Day and another during Christmas vacation. After thus eliminating one-third of his data, and without actual accident reports, I was unable to determine whether the children were on their way to school, on the way home or not going to or from school at all. However, I did find out that of the remaining eight, with the exception of just one 6 year old passenger, all were older. Four drivers were 17, one passenger was 18, another 17 and a third was 16. This should come as no surprise.
Teenage drivers have three times the fatality rate of their parents.
And most parents are well aware of the danger of the young, inexperienced driver and these parents have made reasoned choices as to whether to permit their high school children to drive or to be passengers on the trips back and forth to school. Parent's true concerns with school bus safety should focus on the bus loading area because it is there that most fatalities occur. And it is mostly the younger children who are most likely to be killed. Parents should insist that their kids are properly instructed in loading and unloading procedures, that these techniques are reinforced at school, on the bus and at home. Bus routes must be devised to pick up and discharge children on the same side of the street as they reside to eliminate crossing in front of or behind the bus.