Danger zone fatalities hit historic low

Five children in the U.S. were killed in school bus loading or unloading accidents in the 2007-08 school year, marking the lowest total on record.

Four of those children were struck by a passing vehicle; one was struck by the school bus.

The victims’ ages were 5, 6, 9, 10, and 17. Four were male; one was female.

The accidents occurred in Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Utah and West Virginia.

The danger zone statistics are compiled annually by the Kansas State Department of Education’s School Bus Safety Education Unit. A more detailed report on the accidents is expected to be issued in January.

The statistics have been collected since the 1970-71 school year. During that year, there were 75 danger zone fatalities, the highest total on record.