Parents push for more visible school bus stops
Don and Kimberly Mair have asked a Florida school district’s board to support their efforts to get warning signs posted at bus stops to alert motorists that there might be children in the area. The couple’s daughter, Gabby, was fatally hit by a car in June after being dropped off by her school bus.
DELAND, Fla. — Don and Kimberly Mair are working to make school bus stops more visible following the death of their daughter, Gabby, in June. The 12-year-old was hit by a car after being dropped off by her school bus.
The Mairs asked the Volusia County Schools board in a recent meeting to support their efforts to get signs posted at bus stops on major roads that would alert drivers that there might be children in the area, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
"Drivers don't pay attention. They speed down roads when the bus is just leaving," Kimberly Mair told the newspaper. Don Mair added that posting warning signs at school bus stops would provide a “buffer zone” so that children who don't immediately head for home would be safer.
The Mairs will meet next week with district Superintendent Margaret Smith to discuss how the school district might help address their concerns. They'll also present information about possible grants to help pay for the signs they want.
The Mairs have set up a Website, gabbyslaw.com, to promote their campaign and solicit support from other parents, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
More Safety
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →