Part of the school year for many students is riding the school bus. It is the beginning and end of kids' school days, and the everyday aspect of taking the bus can cause us to forget how school transportation comes with dangers.

A New York community was reminded of how important driver safety is among school bus drivers when a scary incident occurred in Dansville last week. A child had stepped out of the school bus but didn't clear the exit before the driver thought it was okay to drive on. The school bus accident didn't cause serious injury, but it still serves to emphasize how crucial it is for drivers to be alert.

According to sources, the 62-year-old driver shut the bus door and it caught the exiting child's backpack. When he began driving the bus again, the trapped child was dragged an estimated 900 feet before the driver finally stopped the bus.

Specifics regarding the child's injuries were not disclosed, just that they were not severe. It's also unknown whether her family is filing a personal injury lawsuit. But seriousness of a situation is not merely defined by the extent of an accident victim's injuries. A central issue at hand is that bus drivers given the responsibility to transport children must be the safest of drivers.

In the case of the driver behind this recent accident, he has reportedly left his position. Whether he has a history of other driving problems is undisclosed by sources. If you have any doubt regarding the driving skills of the driver who takes your kids to and from school, don't hesitate to ask questions. There's nothing wrong with requiring the best for our kids and their safety.

Source

WHAM abc 13: "Bus Driver Resigns Following Dragging Accident," Jan. 31, 2012