In 2004, Terri Wright experienced a devastating tragedy when her 6-year-old son, Jacob, was run over by his school bus after he exited it, slipped and then fell under the vehicle.

Several years later, Wright began delivering a presentation to pupil transportation officials on the importance of educating students and parents on the danger zone and stressing bus driver vigilance in an effort to prevent another such incident from occurring. SBF reported on her efforts in our November 2007 issue.

Wright has now taken her mission a step further by launching a Website in her son’s memory: J.A.C.O.B., or “Just Another Child On the Bus.” The Website not only provides information about the danger zone around a school bus, it offers bus driver and student training tips.

The tips for bus drivers include:

• Look at every stop on your route and ask yourself these questions:

1. Is it as safe as it can be?

2. Are the children moving away from the front of the bus?

3. Are they always in your line of sight? 

According to information on the Website, Jacob had to walk down the side of the bus toward the back, then step off a curb before turning back to his home. He was in the danger zone longer than he should have been and the driver was not able to keep his eyes on him at all times.

The Website also encourages bus drivers to check and recheck their mirrors before pulling away from a stop to make sure that traffic is clear and that no children are near the bus.

Suggestions to educate students of all ages on bus safety are listed on the “Student Training” page of the Website. Some of the tips for students while exiting the bus include:

• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before leaving your seat.

• Make sure all of your things are put away in your bag before you exit the bus.

• Walk a full 10 feet away from the bus.

The site also notes, “Children under 10 years of age have little concept of what 10 feet actually is. When working with children in the schools, we have them walk off what they think is 10 feet, then we show them what it actually is. We recommend taking them out to a bus and using objects they are familiar with, such as a bike and a backpack, and show them the size relationship to the bus.”

For more tips, visit http://www.jacob-wright.com.

Until next time,

Kelly Roher

Senior Editor