The safety of our children
(Photo by Grant Blankenship, The Telegraph)
Darrius Johnson had to die to make the front page of the newspaper this morning, and an entire community grieves for his family. The 9-year-old boy was crossing Clinton Road while waiting for the big yellow school bus to take him to Burdell-Hunt Elementary, where he was an honor student in the fourth grade.
I think we all are asking ourselves: How could this have been prevented?
You have probably wondered why children must wait for the bus on busy streets, often without supervision and often in the dark.
I know I have.
I also feel sorry for the driver of the SUV. It appears the accident was unavoidable. Darrius had crossed the street to retrieve something another child had thrown.
Could it have been avoided? If so, what could have been done to prevent it? Is it something that could be implemented and enforced at every single bus stop in the city?
I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. I have had children cross into the path of my car dozens of times – chasing balls, riding bikes or roller blades.
Or just plain careless.
We have a problem in our neighborhood with go-carts and golf carts. Underage children are driving them, loading them up with other children, and breaking every law on the books.
I always try to anticipate something happening. I slow down and try to be on guard for that unguarded moment.
Still, those moments are going to happen.
That is why we mourn this morning.
There is an organization called “Safe Kids USA,’’ and I’ve worked with them in the past to encourage the use of bike helmets. Please check out this section of their web site to read about pedestrian injuries and deaths. Safe Kids Website
posted by Ed Grisamore at 6:03 AM
17 Comments:
Mr. Grisamore:
I take it I am not the only person with children and off-road vehicles. I have the same issue in the Walden Road area. We have golf carts and ATV's racing down the street even close to midnight.
I wish law enforcers were more worried about their jobs than making parents upset. On my street an ATV spilled off the road into a ditch; thanfully its operator wasn't hurt. Another teen I saw crossing in front of a car made an obscene gesture as he rode past.
Please highlight this in any future Telegraph columns or have the Metro desk cover this. I don't want to see a child killed on an off-road vehicle.
Thank you
KAT
MR. GRISMORE
I THINK WE HAVE TO START WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT SOME PARENTS ARE SPEEDERS AND TAILGATORS THEMSELVES I DONT THINK WE CAN COUNT ON THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN STAY SAFE. I. TRAVEL MACONS ROADS FIVE DAYS A WEEK WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND I CAN'T BELIEVE SOME OF THE RISKS AND TOTALLY DISREGUARD FOR THE LAW THAT IS DISPLAYED ON THE ROADS. BUT,I THINK THAT ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SPEEDERS,TAILGATORS ETC., HAS TO BE ENFORCED. HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IS
THE KEY.
I wonder if our children would have to be picked up and dropped off in the dark if they attended their neighborhood schools instead of be bused arcoss town. My family lives in Lizella 5 miles from Westside but my son has to catch the bus at 6:00am to ride 15miles to Rutland and before Rutland it was 12 miles to Southwest at the same time of the day. I think it ashame we can't allow our children to go to their neighborhood schools for what ever reason. I believe there is not a reason that justifies our kids being on a bus at 6;00am and not returning home until 5:00pm that evening and we wonder why the youth are the way they are.
I think the Board of Education should stop picking up kids on busy streets. They should enter apartment’s complexes or turn on a side street instead. I used to live on Mercer Univ Dr. and I have witness students horse playing trying to push other students into the street. I don't know if the young man that was killed this morning was confused because the bus driver blew her horn. He may have interpreted that as hurry up. I don’t blame the bus driver I don’t know how I would have reacted under those circumstances. I wished she would have yell stop! Watch out! I know wishing won’t bring him back.
The driver was probably trying to beat the bus before the blinkers were turned on. We need to slow down, the driver was in a hurry but he didn't get anywhere. I have also witness small children trying to cross busy streets when school was not in session. I slowed down and told the children to be careful. I was wondering what kind of parent would let their little children cross busy streets. Those children were under the age of seven.
I wished the man who witness Darrius and the other boy playing in the street would have spoken up too. Some parents are afraid to say anything to other people children because some parents act like fools when someone say anything to their children.
Drivers please be aware of your surrounding. School is back in session and we have to watch out for the kids. Some of them are too young to focus on safety they do things without thinking.
Children shouldn’t be in the dark waiting for the school bus anyway. Stop spending so much time focusing on testing and placing Probation Officers in schools. Start focusing on the safety of our children before they become extinct.
Mr. Grismore,
Parents need to take more responsiblity for their children whether they are in elementary, middle or high school. My house is on the corner of a busy street and I see the kids waiting for the bus goofing off and having "fun" 5 days a week. Simply having 1 parent waiting with the kids does a world of good. It keeps the bigger kids from picking on the smaller ones but it keeps all of them safe while waiting.
I purposely arranged my work schedule so I would leave after the elementary bus departs our stop so I would be able to wait on my porch and keep an eye on the kids of our neighborhood since many parents drop them off there or have the kids walk to the corner on their own. (AND MY KIDS ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL) I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell the High Schoolers to settle down and use their brains before they get hurt, and they actually listen and have thanked me later! Perhaps parents should try rotating the wait for the bus with the other families at the stop. Having an adult there is IMPERATIVE to the safety of our kids.
What an awful outcome to something that could be easily prevented. I cannot imagine losing a child to a tragic accident.
From what I can tell, the driver must have tried to pass the bus - there are no eastbound legal passing zones in that area. If that is the case, there is no excuse and the driver should be fully prosecuted.
I also have to wonder why a bus would pick kids up where they have to cross as busy highway at 6:35 in the morning. Sunrise is around 7:30 and that means it was pitch dark at the time of the accident. I know the School System is trying to save money and share busses for various schools, but at what cost?
I THINK THE BUS DRIVER SHOULD HAVE TO STOP AT EACH CHILD'S HOME TO PICK THEM UP. THERE IS NO SENSE IN CHILDREN HAVING TO WALK ANY DISTANCE JUST TO CATCH THE BUS, MUCH LESS WAIT AT BUSY ROADWAYS, INTERSECTIONS, ETC. MY SON IS 6 YEARS OLD - TOO YOUNG TO WALK TO THE END OF THE ROAD TO THE BUS STOP. I REQUESTED THAT HE BE PICKED UP AT MY RESIDENCE. PEOPLE NEED TO SLOW DOWN AROUND BUS STOPS ALSO.
I would like to comment on the safety of Bibb County Children. First let me say, I am truly saddened about the deaths of two of Bibb County Children. I did not know either one but they both seemed like fine young men. Everyone wants to point the finger at another. Accidents happen every day. Some accidents are preventable if the individual is focused on what he/she should be doing. I have viewed a video on a Middle school bus that the children were so out of control I literally do not know how that bus driver got from point A to point B without totally the bus. I bet these kids would not act like this in the back seat of their parents vehicle, but when away from a parent they think they can get by with anything. Parents do not take responsibility for the actions of their children. If they did then you would see them sitting like toy soliders instead of swinging monkeys. I don't know why the bus driver last week run a stop sign and hit another vehicle. Could it have been they were so disruptive he just could not concentrate anymore, and he lost thought of what he should be doing? Now, a innoncent man is dead. Were the drivers of the two vehicles that killed two students speeding through a school zone? Where was the Sherriff. Oh I know, dropping her/his kids off at school in the sheriff/police car using tax dollars money. Well, I would rather see my money spent with them helping the citizens keep our children safe. Things like this need to be taken into consideration. If we can allow our sherriff and police to drive their kids to school in their patrol cars, then lets get them to drive all the kids personally? Would this stop some of the deaths? Everyday at a school in sub south, we see a police or two and a sherriff or two dropping and picking their children up in patrol cars. If we cannot accomodate all the children then we should not allow those to use patrol cars for personal use. Lets all slow down, and take responsibility.
Mr. Grisamore,
I think we have to do something about having our children standing in the dark waiting for buses to go to school. We need more buses on runs to and from schools so they won't have to leave home before it is light. If I didn't have to work I would be more than happy to drive my children to school, but I have to work so I have to trust the schook bus to get them to and from school safely.
We also need to stress to the children the importance of staying or standing in a safe place and not to play in the streets, because all drivers do not have their best interest in mind.
Two children hit and killed in the same month, so close together is a
real concern that needs to be addressed.
We need to gather all the resources available, parents,city and county police officers, public safety directors, anyone who can help with this problem.
Thank You
LA
I AM A TWIGGS COUNTY PARENT OF TWO BOYS, A 10 YEAR OLD AND 14 YEAR OLD AND THEY HAVE TO CATCH THE BUS BEFORE DAY LIGHT. I USE TO STAY ON THE PORCH AND WATCH WHAT MY KIDS WERE DOING AND MAKING SURE THEY WERE IN MY DRIVE WAY AND NOT IN THE STREET BUT AFTER THE FIRST LITTLE BOY GOT RAN OVER MY KIDS NOW STAY INSIDE UNTIL I SEE THE BUS TOP THE HILL AND THATS WHEN THEY GO OUTSIDE AND BY THE TIME THEY MAKE IT TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY THE BUS HAS STOPPED AND HAS ITS SIGN OUT.PARENTS PLEASE WATCH YOUR CHILDREN BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE WILL. WE TO LIVE WHERE CARS COME BY TO FAST AND DONT WATCH FOR OUR KIDS.
Mr. Grisamore
My heart goes out to the families of the young boys who recently lost their short lived lives. As parent we are responsible for our children(teaching, training,caring)we must tell them what is right and what is wrong. We all had to go school, we waited beside the highway for the bus whether it was darkness or light. Children today really do not seem to fear the car in the street , we all can atteset to this, as I drive my 17 year old son to Northeast Highschool daily. I witnness at 3 bus stops the following:
1. Children waiting at an apartment complex on both sides of the street dart back and forth across the street.
2. Children at the second bus stop jump into thestreet and shake their back ends and jump back up on the side walk.
3. Children wait at this stop all off the sidewalk , that you as the driver pull into traffic to see if you can get across.
4. Children walking to school on the wrong side of the street not facing the traffic coming towards them, they walk in the street not in the grass(Have you heard they do not want to wet their shoes in the grass) So I blow the horn and they turn and look as to say *!#!
5. As I turn onto Shurling Drive making my way to Northeast , cars speed by because the 25 mile sign is not working, and the sign posted says 7:30 am -8:30 am school starts at 7:40 am , light should flas at 7:00 am , I have reported that the light is not functing ,most stop for the officer at Appling Middle School but I have seen some just glide by.
As I return from dropping off my son, for some odd reason some students want to dash across the Walnut Creek Bridge opposite the side which the school is located,some just gently scroll, as if no cars are coming in either direction. I called Appling Middle School to let them know what is going on.
In the neighborhood where I live(its not the neighborhood children, there are very few) the children coming through from surrounding apartment complexes) and these children walk in the street and will not move, sure I have discussed at my neighborhood watch meetings.
When my son came home from school on Wednesday, he said the bus driver told the kids at the apartment complex he wants all of them waiting at the apartment complex and not on the opposite side of the street when he picks them up Thursday morning, I said , Good for Mr. Bus Driver.
Parents please make the sacrifice to watch over your children daily,talk to them daily, they are just children not adults, we are their watchers.
I did not know either child that was both tragically taken away from their families. But I do know about kids having to catch the bus so early in the morning. I too wonder if this is really necessary. I know what time my own children have to get up for school and can honestly say that although they are in Middle and High School; they are not fully awake and aware at 6:30am. That is why I have arranged my work schedule so that I can take them to school and pick them up. I know that I am blessed and not all parents can do this, but I agree with others that believe that a parent should be at the bus stops with the kids that are there. I haven't always been able to take my kids to school, but even when they had to catch a bus I alternated with other parents so that one of us was there every morning at the bus stop. I don't what a good solution to the problem is other than as parents we have to watch out for our children, no one else is going to do it. But to those who are drivng that early in the morning either going to work or coming back home; please be a little more aware that some of us have children out there waiting to be picked up and they may or may not be completely awake and aware.
>Mr Grismore,
What in the world is happening to our children. They have to go to school and for them to get killed waiting on the BUS!!! This is so terrible. I know the SUV probably could not help it but they should also know it is school time and to SLOW DOWN. Something needs to be done. I can't believe parents just let them go. Even at the school bus stop they should stay until the bus comes. I don't care if they have to be to work at a certain time. These children come First. By George it is un acceptable what these parents are doing now days.... Money comes first. Well if you cannot afford these children and their care DO NOT HAVE THEM....... HELLO!!!!!No way would I have let my child stay at the bus stop unattended..... On the City STREETS No Way.....You can't blame anyone for you as a parent. The law officers cannot be everywhere. Thats the problem now. Parents expect someone else to take their responsobility. For example. They have child care in schools, they have breakfast in schools. Poor children spend most of their day with school. From 6:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening.That is a long day for a little one. I am so saddened these children had to loose a life unnessaraly. I cannot imagine how the parents must feel. Our country needs to wake up and assume responsibility for our children of today. They are our future. They are the ones that will be taking care of us whan we are old. I am not a racist but I have a friend who was the only white child in her elementary school. I blame her parents for not noticing the situation. I went for her grammar school graduation and her mother did not even know until that day. Now that tells me they were not even active in any of her 7 yrs she was their to notice..I Beg parents of today to wake up and take care of there precious children and quit beiing so self centered..... Thank you Mr. Grismore for letting me vent......
WE AS PARENTS SHOULD TAKE THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN TO HEART.WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE TEENAGERS,OR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS,PEOPLE OF MACON SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!I AM A PARENT OF 4 GIRLS AND I WOULDN'T DARE ALLOW THEM TO STAND ON THE BUS STOP ALONE!YOU RELLY DO HAVE SOME SPEEDERS THAT DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE SLOW 25MPH SIGNS LOCATED IN SOME OF OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOR HOODS.WE NEED TO BREAK OUR SPEED IN THESE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND KEEP ALL OF OUR CHILDREN SAFE!
I recently moved to Macon about 6 months ago, and one of the first things I noticed was kids walking to the bus stop around 6:20 in the morning. Not only was it still dark outside, but they had to walk to the edge of the road. I live on Northside Drive, and traffic is kind of busy. I agree that parents should be more responsible with their kids while standing at the bus stop (younger kids esp.). On the other hand, I do not agree that it is the parents fault for the accidents that is happening with their kids. A lot of people are not as fortunate as others. Most people have to work. Yes, you do have some people that stay at home all day and be housewives, therefore, they are able to drive their kids to school daily. A lot of our jobs does not allow that. We have to work and provide for our kids. I feel as though these reoccurring accidents should be a wake up call to the Bibb County School system. Lets make a change. Kids should not have to stand on a highway, waiting on a school bus to come. Anything is liable to happen (accidents, speeding cars, etc.) If possible, get the buses to pick up the kids in front of their houses. Regardless of how much time that may take, it is worth it, right. I mean, you are concerned with the safety of our kids, right. When I am headed to work on Peake Road, I noticed how the bus stops from house to house in those very nice neighborhoods. Can you do that for the less fortunate. And people, instead of complaining, lets do something about this. What are you waiting for, another innocent child to be killed? Maybe if this ever happens to your child or someone you care about, that is when you will try to make a change.
This is a tragic situation but in my opinion long over due. I think it is largely the result of a failure to teach and enforce a safety mindset.
I have watched children in Lake Wildwood run back and forth across the road in front of cars for the last three years. In many cases it is a game of chicken to see if they can get the driver to slam on their brakes. They do this despite a "parent" sitting in an SUV near the corner "protecting" them. When I reported this to Wildwood security I was told to call Bibb BOE or the Sheriffs department. Both of them referred me back to Wildwood security. When you have this level of official incompetence coupled with parents who believe their job is to keep their children happy at all costs tragedies like this are the result.
The real key to preventing this is for the Bibb sheriff's office and the Macon Police department to do some undercover patrolling of bus stops with video cameras. Tape the little angels, then haul mom and dad into court. Hold the parent's responsible for the stupidity of their offspring. When I was young I was taught to stop and look both ways before entering any street. I had to cross Vineville avenue to attend first grade at Clisby and I walked alone at age 6 and never had even one close call. I had good parents that taught me how to stay safe. They also did not think twice about making me very unhappy when I cut the fool or was unsafe.
Safety is a mindset; it must be taught; it must be enforced.
Always, without fail.
CATHY....
Mr. Grismore: I am a concern parent who has a child that also has to be at her bus stop in the AM. We live off of Houston Avenue and I walk to the bus stop with my child every morning and this is what i have observed. There are 4 other kids that be at this bus stop and for the most they don't play in the road but every once in a while two of the kids, both in middle school and possible plays football for the school be doing/playing football moves in the street. Yes, they have been told/ask not to play in the street but they continue to do it. what worries me is that if they are playing in the street and the car is trying to avoid hitting them and end up hitting me and my daughter (yes i stand at the bus stop with her every morning (i don't leave there until she is on the bus and seated) and when she rides the bus home in the evening i am there also). I do believe they know better, so i don't say anything else to them. just the other day one of them made the comment "I ain't afraid to die" this was made after he was observed standing in the street and the city bus was coming up behind him. he wasn't even facing the bus and it was 6:35am and still dark. I also observe everyday, when school is in session that on Houston Avenue between 6:25am and 6:45am, how fast the traffic is. Not only is it the car drivers that speeds down Houston Avenue, but the POLICE cars are driving just as fast as anyone elso, yes i said the POLICE cars and lets not forget the CITY BUSES, yes the CITY BUSES. The kids bus stop is on the corner and the wind from the vehicle be about to blow you in the road. I observed my daughter bus coming down our street (Troupe St.) about 3 morning in a row and I asked him, "have your route changed" and he said that he comes off of another street and its easier for him to come on this street (Makido St.and Troupe St.) and then make that turn on Houston Avenue. i thought "good" since you come down my street can you pick the kids up who stay closer to Makido and Troupe up off that corner,and he said "NO" he couldn't that they had to be on Houston Ave. and do you know what he did, he stop coming down Troupe Street. i guessed so he wouldn't have to hear me ask him again why he can't pick them up on the corner of Makido and Troupe.
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